OML 11: Khana Boss Backs Choice Of Wike In Ogoni Mediation With FG

The Chairman of Khana Local Government Council, Dr. Thomas Bariere has backed the choice of the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike to lead the people of Ogoni ethnic nationality in the negotiation with the Federal Government and the NNPC on the resumption of oil production in OML 11.
Bariere made assertion while speaking with journalists at Bori, the headquarters of Khana over the weekend.
The chairman said it has become imperative to clarify issues on why the Ogoni people asked the governor to lead the delegation of Ogoni people to speak to the Federal Government on OML 11, adding that all the local governments in Ogoni were in Rivers State, adding that the governor was the right person and in the right position to speak for the people of Ogoni.
“He should be the one to lead because the governor is also the chief security officer of the state, and whatsoever bothers the people of the state should bother a good governor. Also, the assumption that the governor leading the delegation was for his own benefit is not true,” he stated.
Fielding questions from journalists on whether Ogonis did not have leaders capable of leading them in talks with the Federal Government, the chairman said that the inclusion of the state governor was not an impediment to Ogoni leaders in the talks, adding that Ogoni leaders occupying various positions at federal, state and local levels would be involved in the process.
According to him, the proposed mediation would promote both economic and social development of the area, saying that the crisis in Ogoni has been on for over 20 years between Ogoni and the Federal Government.

By: Akujobi Amadi