₦airaland Forum

Ogoni Land is a region of the Southsouth in Rivers State, Nigeria with over two million population spread across a 404-square-mile (1,050 km2) homeland. They share common oil-related environmental problems with other Ijaw people of Niger Delta region.

The environment which once sustained traditional livelihoods in Ogoniland has since been devastated due to the oil spillage which continued for many years and this led to many protests which gained global attention.

Fishing is the main occupation of the Ogoni people but their source of livelihood was destroyed by the pollution to the aquatic habitats and persistent contamination of creeks. Land resources have been devastated through oil spills and associated fires which have killed vegetation and left a crust of ash and tar making revegetation difficult.

As a result the Ogoni people were exposed to high concentrations of hydrocarbons in the air, in their water and on their land on a daily basis. The people of Ogoni were therefore paying a high price for the activities of the oil industry in Nigeria.

Despite the public outcry, many governments came and went but none have taken a bolder step to wage into the situation to find a lasting solution until the Buhari - Osinbajo administration intervened.

The report on the Ogoniland clean-up was submitted since 2011 but was not implemented. This left the people of Ogoniland to suffer from even more pollution of air, land and water.

On the 3rd of June, 2016, Vice -President Yemi Osinbajo kicked off the Clean-up of Ogoniland. Giving an insight into what gave rise to militancy in the region, Osinbajo who represented President Buhari said: “The various communities in the Niger Delta region, noting the negative impact of oil production and lack of consideration for best practices, quite rightly commenced the struggle for justice and fair play in the conduct of business by oil industry operators...This, unfortunately, led to the loss of lives and property".

Osinbajo recalled that the President promised the people of Ogoni during the 2015 election campaigns that he would implement the clean-up of the area if elected president, adding that, the flag-off of the exercise was a fulfillment of that promise.

Almost four years after the flag off of the clean-up of the Ogoniland, many locals have been employed to carry on with the exercise which will last for 25 years according to the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, recommendations.

Just recently, to assess the level of work done so far, representatives of the British High Commission in Nigeria, the United States Consulate and the Netherlands Counterparts together with representatives of the communities visited the site of the remediation project and were all satisfied with the level of work done so far.

The clean-up is taking place in four local government areas of Eleme, Tai, Gokana, and Khana, where waters and lands have been despoiled by oil spills over the years.

The project is expected to cost $1 billion and will span over 25 years.

A lot are happy with this new development. May Almighty bless PMB/PYO administration

The entire process will ensure that the people whose source of survival have been threatened can once again have reasons to smile

May God bless Buhari/Osinbajo administration for this Ogoni Clean up and the project that supposed to end in 30 years time has finally start now, elders, youths and kingmakers are extremely happy for this development

With development of the (FG) people Ogoniland kingdom will be will be ease with the pollution

Indeed

This is truly the definition of putting your money where your mouth is.
#ogonipromisefulfilled

Congratulations to ogoni people as the work is ongoing to clean up their land�������

This is highly commendable by this administration and I'm happy for the people of Ogoni as this will help them go back to their occupation.

Kudos

It's a good thing that this administration gave ears to their plead. At least life will be Better and easier for them

Words followed with actions .... Thanks to this administration for getting things done .


So happy for the people of ogoniland

This is a pleasing development, the Administration should ensure it put in place structures that will ensure the clean up outlives it.

Good development

socialmediaman:
Indeed

Keep fooling yourself, you will be well soon. Your ignorance is just mind blowing

The international community also commended FG on the clean up.

Good one

God bless PMB and PYO