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…demand Justice, Ecological restoration
By Katherine Abayomi
The Ogoni women, along with 16 concerned civil society organizations (CSOs), have unequivocally rejected the proposed resumption of oil extraction in Ogoniland. In a strongly worded statement, they expressed their deep concern about the neglect of key issues surrounding ecological and social justice in the region.
The group highlighted the devastating consequences of decades of oil extraction, including widespread pollution, loss of livelihoods, and the brutal suppression of the Ogoni people’s rights. They emphasized that the 1990 Ogoni Bill of Rights, which demanded environmental protection and fair benefits from oil wealth, remains unaddressed.
The Ogoni women and CSOs demanded that the Nigerian government prioritize ecological restoration, decommission aging oil infrastructure, and secure justice for the countless Ogonis affected by the oil industry’s reckless activities. They also called for accountability for the genocide committed against the Ogoni people, including the execution of environmental rights activists Ken Saro-Wiwa and six others in 1995.
The group’s statement was clear: “To assume that oil extraction can commence whilst these issues remain unresolved is to be naïve at best and cruel.” They urged the government to abandon plans to resume oil activities in Ogoniland and instead focus on redeeming the ecological disaster and securing justice for the Ogoni people.
The demands were signed by 16 NGOs, demonstrating a united front against the resumption of oil extraction in Ogoniland.