Former House of Representatives member Dakuku Peterside has criticized the plan to restart oil exploration in Ogoni, Rivers State.
Oil exploration in the region was halted in the early 1990s due to public unrest, environmental degradation, and other controversies.
In a February 5 interview with Channels TV, the former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) emphasized that key issues must be addressed before resuming operations.
Peterside shared his concerns two weeks after President Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike met privately with Ogoni leaders, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
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“If I must be sincere with you, it would be premature to resume oil exploration in Ogoni land. What I believe—and what I think the government is also considering—is the need for further consultations, trust-building, and a genuine commitment to environmental governance,” he said.
“The longstanding issue has been the opaque nature of oil exploration, not just in Ogoni but across the Niger Delta. The way the benefits of oil production are distributed, often excluding the people of the region, remains a major concern. Until this is addressed transparently, progress will be difficult to achieve.”
