In a bid to tackle critical issues relating to oil policies and Ogoni development an Ogoni stakeholder, Dr Eddie Wikina has listed measures of promoting sustainable peace and development in the area.
Dr Wikina, who shared his views in a press statement made available to The Tide, said, lasting peace and development could only take place in Ogoni when the people speak in one accord.
He expressed dismay over the existence of splinter groups in Ogoni under various appellations with vested interest, noting that such tendencies were capable of further polarising the people.
He called on the different groups in Ogoni to desist from what he described as; “unnecessary attacks and acrimony against themselves” and close ranks in the pursing of a common goal and objective.
He pointed out that the Ogoni clean-up exercise could only commence in earnest, when the key stakeholders harmonise their differences and work towards common objectives.
He said the Ogonis had over the years suffered the brunt of oil politics and could not continue to remain the epicentre of internal wrangling and conflicts.
Ake explained that; “It is the primary responsibility of all Ogoni stakeholder to work to make Ogoni viable for investment to enable safe and sustainable resumption of oil and gas operation to create the needed jobs in the area”.
Dr Wikina, who is an expert in the oil and gas industry, emphasised the need for the people of Ogoni to accept, “genuine economic enhancement projects from the Federal Government or oil companies without compromising their integrity”.
The former Managing Director of Treasure Energy Limited, warned against collecting money from the Federal Government or oil companies and urged that proper legal processes be followed in pressing home the Ogoni demands for a better economic and environmental development.

Taneh Beemene