Ogoni stakeholders to President: review oil resumption in 17 communities
Some Ogoni stakeholders have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to halt oil exploration in 17 Ogoni communities in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State.
They cited unresolved environmental damage, displacement and past violence.
The aggrieved indigenes stated this at the weekend during a peaceful protest in Bori, Khana Local Government Area, at the weekend.
Carrying placards with various inscriptions, such as “No to Oil Resumption”; “Free Ogoni Land from Economic Slavery”; and “NNPCL bring back our $300 million,” they condemned the resumption of oil activities without consultation or remediation.
The Executive Director of the Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI), Douglas Fabeke, said oil operations were resuming in communities that were destroyed between 1993 and 1998, when over 300 people were reportedly killed.
He urged the Federal Government to immediately halt oil activities in the affected areas, noting that the environment had not been restored and many residents remained displaced, including refugees in neighbouring countries.
Fabeke accused some oil firms, including Sahara Energy, of resuming operations without addressing past injustices, stressing that the move could trigger fresh unrest.
He called on President Tinubu to order a suspension of activities and initiate meaningful negotiations aimed at restoring affected communities. He also urged the Federal Government to take direct control of OML-II and engage host communities through credible dialogue.
Fabeke further rejected Sahara Energy, declaring the company persona non grata in Ogoniland, while expressing willingness to engage with NNPCL and relevant government agencies.
He also raised concerns over the unaccounted $300 million reportedly earmarked for Ogoni communities, saying neither OLI nor the beneficiaries had been briefed on its disbursement.
Fabeke warned that if the grievances were not addressed, Ogoni stakeholders would escalate their protests to Abuja.
