Forum Wants IOCs To Promote Peace

As part of efforts in restoring sustainable peace and development in Ogoniland in particular and the Niger Delta region in general, a group known as Ogoni Dialogue Forum, (ODF) has recommended that oil firms and other multi-nationals in the area should play key roles in the process of conflict resolution.
This was part of the resolutions reached at the 3rd Ogoni Dialogue Forum (ODF), organised by the Academic Associate Peace Work (AAPW) an international NGO in Port Harcourt, recently .
Speaking at the forum, stakeholders declared that the task of rebuilding Ogoniland and other Niger Delta communities can be effectively carried out through dialogue rather than confrontation.
Some of the stakeholders who spoke at the event, said the approach of some of the multinational companies in addressing issues of host community relations had been unsatisfactory, as such wrong approaches had always bred conflicts among the communities.
In his remark the President of Eleme General Assembly, Elder Isreal Abe, said, “Eleme has remained underdeveloped despite the presence of many multi-national organisations in the area”.
He attributed the stunted development in the area to lack of an inclusive approach by the oil firms in their community development policies.
Speaking with The Tide in an interview shortly after the event, which was held at the Atrium Centre in Port Harcourt, a lead discussant, Amb Nkoyo Toyo, called on Ogoni people to seek an inward approach towards resolving evolving conflicts in the area.
Toyo, who represented the executive director, AAPW at the event, urged all stakeholders to contribute their quota towards restoring lasting peace in Ogoni, and the Niger Delta in general.
Also speaking the Chairman of the Ogoni Dialogue committee, Prof Barineme Fakae, commended the AAPW for initiating the dialogue process with the objective of building sustainable peace and development in Ogoniland.
The third Ogoni dialogue Forum which was held under the theme; “Rethink and Rebuild Ogoni from within” also made some far reaching recommendations.