The Gbeneme Tai,
HRM, King Godwin Giniwa, has approved the Ogoni Leadership Forum to interface with Shell on the divestment of all the Ogoni nine oil fields in the OML II Joint Venture, (JV) partners.
The forum is to direct the 45 per cent equity as pronounced in the JV OML II, and ascertain the identity of buyers who have already indicated interest to do so.
According to a release by the group’s coordinator, Dr Eddie Wikina, which was made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt, last week   the forum is expected to set up the instrument that will ensure effective participation of the host communities and others.
He explained that this is to ensure the best value to the entire communities, wealth creation, employment, protection of the environment and other related issues.
The coordinator, who has over 35 years experience in upstream industry, warned Shell and other stakeholders against any kind of sharp practices that could slow down the process of the divestment.
He said the group comprises experts in oil and gas matters from the strategists group, economists, Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme (KAGOTE) and the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP).
Though he did not state how soon the committee would commence operation, he noted that their prime target is to ensure a landslide job in the divestment business.
He also pointed that the group was the only licenced committee to handle the transaction, hinting that companies which have planned to cut corners may loose the bidding.
He has also called on interested companies to present their proposals for the development of the communities, the people in partnership with the operations and plans of United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).