Ahead of the planned resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland, Rivers State, the Ogoni Dialogue Committee (ODC) has concluded its grassroots consultation with communities in the area with an assurance that the final report to be submitted to the federal government would represent the views of the general population.
The ODC, which is made up of prominent Ogoni leaders, was created by the recent meeting between President Bola Tinubu and selected political and religious leaders as well as traditional rulers from the ethnic nationality at the presidential villa, Abuja.
During the meeting, Tinubu appointed the national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to facilitate the oil resumption talks with the Ogoni stakeholders, just as he asked the delegation to get the input of their people and feed him back.
After the consultation concluded at Bori, headquarters of the Khana local government area of the state, ODC chairman Professor Ben Baridam commended the people’s involvement in the process.
Baridam, former vice-chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, assured the people that their views would play a crucial role in shaping the Ogoni position in negotiating with the federal government for the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.
He noted that the signing into law of the bill establishing the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Saakpenwa, and fast-tracking the Eleme junction-Onne section of the East-West Road indicate the government’s willingness to address the long-standing injustices faced by Ogoni communities.
The chairman emphasised that the ODC remains steadfast in its commitment to a robust consultation process that would birth a final position for negotiating with the federal government.
Baridam said: “Your commitment to participating in these discussions has been commendable.
I assure you that your insights from these meetings will play a crucial role in shaping the Ogoni position for negotiations with the federal government regarding the resumption of oil activities in our region.
“The dialogue committee remains steadfast in our commitment to a robust consultation process that ensures your voices are heard and actively considered before any resumption of oil activities in Ogoni.
“Today marks the conclusion of our communities’ consultations. However, engagement with critical stakeholders is ongoing, with planned discussions in the days ahead involving women, youths, and other interest groups in alignment with the dialogue committee’s work.
“We are happy to note that even the Ogoni diaspora community is also sending in their memoranda. It is essential that the final charter of demands we present encapsulates the collective views of the Ogoni people. Your input is vital as we move forward.”
In his speech, the member representing Khana-Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Dumnamene Dekor, called for unity amongst the Ogoni people, adding that the town hall meeting presents an opportunity for Ogonis to talk about their problem.
Deekor thanked the national security adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his commitment towards the negotiation process.
He said, “If we continue to unite, we’ll succeed. By the special grace of God, we have the opportunity to have a president who cares about us, who invited us and told us to come and talk about our problems so that we can heal the wounds of past years.
“Let me thank the national security adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and his team for doing this wonderful job. By the special grace of God, the presentation, and the way our people are embracing this process, our today is here.
“Let me congratulate all of us for coming out to speak our minds and assure you that the team leading us in the entire process will be fair and very transparent, and our views will be harvested,” Dekor stated.
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