TheCable

The Niger Delta Congress (NDC) has endorsed a report that describes the implementation of the Ogoni clean-up exercise as a failure.

In a statement signed by Adokiye Oyagiri, its acting spokesperson, on Monday, the congress said the Ogoni clean-up exercise is a ploy for the resumption of oil exploration as the Ogoni field is among the 57 oil fields being auctioned by the government.

The report being referenced was released by Friends of the Earth Europe, Environmental Rights Action, Milieudefensie, and Amnesty
International on Thursday, June 18, 2020.

“The report notes that with less than 10% of the project funds released and just 11% of impacted sites covered so far, the federal government’s
implementation of the 2011 UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report has been a failure,” the statement read.

“At the current pace, the first phase of the cleanup meant to last five years is now on track to take 40 years.

“This extends the 30-year period estimated by UNEP, for the Ogoni environment to return to its natural state, to 70 years.

“The report also emphasises the shoddy work being done, with 11 out of the 16 companies contracted for the purpose not having any experience in environmental remediation.”

Quoting data from the National Bureau of Statistics, the NDC said the federal government has mined 32 billion barrels of oil worth N118 trillion from the region and paid N16 trillion as derivation to Niger Delta states.

To this end, the congress demanded a compensation of $75 billion for Niger Delta people.

“The NDC estimates from the NBS figures that the Nigerian government is indebted to the Niger Delta people withheld revenue in excess of N70 trillion,” the statement read.

“On the other hand, as a result of the devastating consequences of oil production, the NDC is seeking a $75bn compensation for the Niger Delta people.”

The NDC also called for immediate commencement of an environmental assessment of the entire Niger Delta region, and a subsequent comprehensive clean-up funded by all oil companies in the region with the federal government.

It also reiterated its “June 15, 2020, call for prospective bidders for new oil fields in the region to desist” and urged Niger Delta people to organise themselves to resist further oil exploration on their lands until their demands are met.