Halliburton’s Explosives Disposal: Ogoni Technocrat, Group Demand Full Environmental Review before Operation
Dissenting voices have continued to question the integrity of the proposed disposal of explosives by the fracking giant, Halliburton Energy Services Nigeria Limited at Kporghor community in Tai Local Government Area, Ogoni, Rivers State.
Famous among those who have expressed discontent over the nature and procedure of carrying out the announced destruction of the explosive materials are the Ogoni born human and environmental rights campaigner, AkpoBari Celestine, and a group known as Ogoni Young Professional Environmentalists Forum (OYPEF).
The concerns followed a public advisory by the Rivers State Police Command announcing that the controlled disposal exercise would take place from July 8 to July 10, 2026, under the supervision of its Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit.
Although the police assured residents that all necessary safety measures had been put in place and urged the public not to panic over the loud explosions expected during the operation, Celestine was completely uncomfortable with the very idea of siting the operation in ogoniland.
“Why must every bad thing be taken to Ogoni while economic resources and serious political and professional appointments are taken elsewhere?” he asked.
Subsequently, a more technical explanation was rendered by the Ogoni Young Professional Environmentalists Forum (OYPEF) as basis for its objection to the proposed disposal exercise.
The group, in a press release on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 signed by its President, Kennedy Barizorge, called for the immediate suspension of the exercise pending full environmental disclosure and independent scientific assessment, adding its position was informed by concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding the planned chemical disposal.
It further noted that Halliburton had not publicly disclosed the type, quantity, chemical composition, age, or hazard classification of the explosives, making it difficult for independent experts and affected communities to properly assess the potential environmental and public health risks.
The forum also expressed concern over the absence of a publicly available Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Environmental Management Plan (EMP), or environmental risk assessment, stressing that Ogoniland’s history of environmental degradation requires greater scrutiny before any potentially hazardous activity is undertaken.
Moreover, the group emphasized that the proposed disposal method has not been clearly communicated, raising concerns over possible environmental impacts, including air pollution, excessive noise, ground vibrations, and soil contamination.
OYPEF further stated that residents deserve adequate information on potential health implications, emergency response plans, and environmental monitoring before, during, and after the exercise.
Reaffirming its commitment to environmental justice, sustainable development, and public health, OYPEF maintained that the people of Ogoni should not be subjected to another potentially hazardous activity without full scientific disclosure, regulatory transparency, and public participation.
Those in copy of the press statement include the Rivers State Police Command, Nigeria Police Force, PPRO Rivers Command, Blessing Agabe, Rivers State Government House Media, and the Secretary to the Rivers State Government.
