At the request of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is undertaking an extensive environmental assessment of oil-impacted sites in the Ogoni region of the Niger Delta.
The assessment is expected to last approximately two years. The findings of the environmental assessment will be used to make recommendations on the appropriate levels of remediation needed to rehabilitate the land to a condition that is environmentally acceptable, on the basis of international standards.
Oil exploration and production in the oil-rich Niger Delta region started during the 1950s, but operations were suspended in the early 1990s due to local public unrest. The oilfields and installations have since remained dormant. Environmental contamination from these operations, however, remains unremediated or only partially remediated today. In addition, further spills have resulted from lack of maintenance, oil tapping, and damage to oil infrastructure and facilities over the last 15 years.
For further information on UNEP's project in Ogoniland please email: ogoniland@unep.org