Nigerian Groups Oppose Oil Production in Polluted Ogoniland

Fifty-one civil society organizations have spoken out against plans to resume oil production in Ogoniland, calling on the federal government to abandon the move. The groups argue that reopening oil wells would undermine ongoing environmental restoration efforts and expose communities to renewed pollution, health risks, and conflict.

The statement was released after reports emerged that Dutchford Exploration and Production Company Limited had emerged as the successful bidder for the Yorla South oil field in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State. The 51 organizations include Oilwatch International, the Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, and others.

The groups argue that Ogoniland continues to bear the environmental consequences of decades of oil exploration, with contaminated land, polluted water bodies, and damaged livelihoods yet to be fully restored. They warn that approving fresh oil production before addressing these issues would amount to repeating 'another cycle of extraction.'