20/09/2026
“THE MOMENT OIL EXPLORATION RESUMES IN OGONILAND, THE CLEANUP WILL RECEIVE LESS ATTENTION” ~ A CONCERNED OGONI VOICE
A concerned voice has raised a serious question about the ongoing conversation surrounding the proposed resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland:
“Why are we discussing oil resumption when the environmental damage from decades of oil activities has not yet been fully addressed?”
The writer argues that oil pollution severely affected farmlands, fishing, water sources and livelihoods across parts of Ogoniland, a history extensively documented by UNEP, which estimated that full environmental restoration could take 25-30 years.
Although remediation is ongoing, with HYPREP reporting completed work at some contaminated sites and the Federal Government recently reaffirming its commitment to completing the cleanup, the wider restoration remains a long-term undertaking.
“If oil exploration resumes before the environment is fully restored, will the cleanup still receive the same level of attention and urgency?”
The writer further argues that, at this stage, environmental restoration, clean drinking water, livelihoods and the recovery of polluted land should take priority over restarting oil production.
Interestingly, UNEP’s original assessment did contemplate the possibility of oil production restarting, but recommended that any restart should treat Ogoniland as an area of high environmental and social sensitivity, applying modern technology and environmental safeguards.
What do you think: Should complete environmental restoration come before oil resumption, or can cleanup and responsible oil production happen simultaneously?
