Group Lists Conditions For Resumption Of Oil Exploration In Ogoni

Following the Appeal Court judgement that relieved Shell of the operational licence over OML 11 with the replacement of the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, a pan-Ogoni organisation under the auspices of Ogoni Liberation Initiatives has listed the conditions for the resumption of oil exploratory activities in Ogoni land.
The position of the organisation was contained in a communiqué issued by the CEO of Ogoni Liberation Initiatives, Dr Fabeke Douglas to the MD NPDC, Garba Mohammed for onward delivery to the presidency at Bori, administrative headquarters of Ogoni, last Monday.
Presenting the communiqué, the CEO Ogoni Liberation Initiatives said the social estrangements and domestic colonisation which were the hallmarks of Shell in Ogoni must stop while the principles of community participation which defines the global corporate community must be adhered to in the new engagement.
He hailed the judgement, and pointed out that decisions reached were the outcome of intense grassroots consultation, and as such represented the interest of Ogoni people, noting that the Ogoni people have designed a template of collaboration with the NPDC to address the issues of environmental degradation and economic development of Ogoniland.
He called for the payment of adequate compensation to the Ogoni people for the colossal damages of their environment, and urged the review of the activities of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation and Restoration Project (HYPREP) in Ogoniland, he noted had not positively impacted Ogoniland.
He said, “It’s regrettable that no impact of HYPREP is felt in Ogoni despite the trails of the agency in Ogoni, there’s no HYPREP office in Bori, no emergency recommendations of UNEP, such as, centre of excellence, water project, medical research institute, contaminated soil management centre, among others, has been implemented in Ogoni.”
In his response, the MD of NPDC, Garba Mohammed, thanked the Ogoni Liberation Initiatives for their unwavering commitment in projecting the yearnings and aspirations of the Ogoni people for better environmental and economic standards of living.
He said, “What you are seeing here today is a demonstration of our existing cordial relationship with the Ogoni people.
“We truly share in your pains. First and foremost as Nigerians and as a company, we will join you to pursue these demands. We will stand with you and will work with you to achieve the goal in shortest period of time.”
He assured the readiness of NPDC to acquiesce to the demands of the Ogoni people as presented by the Ogoni Liberation Initiatives to create the enabling environment for the clean-up of the polluted Ogoni environment and economic development of Ogoni.
He said the demands of the Ogoni people would be transmitted to the Federal Government for action.
Highlights of the event were cultural displays, and intersession prayers for sustainable peace and development of Ogoni.

By: Taneh Beemene