A former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dakuku Peterside, has expressed his opposition to the planned resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland, describing it as premature.
Peterside, who previously served as the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), voiced his concerns on Wednesday during an interview. He emphasized that key unresolved issues must first be addressed before such an initiative can be considered.
“To be honest, it will be premature to resume oil exploration in Ogoni land at this point,” Peterside said, noting that further consultations, trust-building, and a genuine commitment to environmental governance are crucial. He highlighted that past oil exploration activities in the region have been marked by a lack of transparency and inadequate benefits for the people of Niger Delta.
For years, oil exploration in Ogoniland has been suspended due to significant environmental concerns. However, the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, is reportedly preparing to resume operations in the region. Peterside stressed that until the opaque nature of oil extraction and its uneven distribution of benefits are addressed, progress will remain difficult.
In addition, Peterside criticized the federal government’s recent proposal to establish a university in Ogoni as insufficient to resolve the ongoing issues of injustice. The establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET) in Ogoni was signed into law by President Tinubu on Monday, along with a pledge of further support for the community. However, Peterside believes that the Ogoni Bill of Rights, which advocates for the rights and betterment of the Ogoni people, must be revisited to truly address the historical injustices faced by the community.
Until these fundamental issues are resolved, Peterside argues, any effort to resume oil exploration would be counterproductive and likely to exacerbate tensions in the region.