No fewer than 20 civil society organisations in the Niger Delta have demanded the completion of environmental remediation and community consent before oil production resumes in Ogoniland, Rivers State.
The groups warned that restarting oil operations without addressing pollution, development and justice concerns could further erode the confidence of affected communities in the process.
They also called for the suspension of oil and gas activities across the Niger Delta until polluted communities are cleaned up and victims of environmental degradation receive justice.
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The demands were contained in a communique read by the Team Lead of Miideekor Environmental Development Initiative, Celestine AkpoBari, during a media briefing in Port Harcourt.
The coalition urged the Federal Government not to deploy military force, intimidation or other coercive measures to impose oil production on Ogoni communities.
It further insisted that international oil companies that had divested their assets in the Niger Delta must remain accountable for pollution caused by their operations.
Beyond the proposed oil resumption, the organisations called for the creation of an independent Bori State and urged the Federal Government to investigate the alleged disappearance of $300m reportedly earmarked for Ogoni development.
They also demanded that the Federal Government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Sahara Energy account for all funds released for the Ogoni dialogue process.
On infrastructure and social development, the coalition called for the completion of promised road projects, industrial parks, school renovations and functional healthcare centres in Ogoniland.
The groups also demanded the inclusion of independent observers in the Ogoni dialogue process to ensure transparency, credibility and accountability.
Some Niger Delta civil society leaders who addressed the briefing reiterated the need for environmental justice and community participation in decisions concerning oil exploration.
Organisations behind the demands include We The People, Social Action, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, HEDA Resource Centre, South South Youths Initiative, Environmental Rights Action, Policy Alert and Ogoni Youths Development Initiative.
The coalition maintained that oil production should not resume until the environmental, developmental and justice concerns of the people had been addressed.
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