Implement Dialogue Committee Report Before Oil Exploration In March Resumes, Ogoni Groups Demand

The Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF) and the Ogoni Contractors Forum (OCF), have demanded for the implementation of the report of Ogoni Dialogue Committee (ODC) on resumption of oil exploration in the area before March 1, 2026.

The two groups, in a joint statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, also demanded that the Ogoni oil fields assets manager must be an indigene of Ogoniland.

The joint statement, which was signed by OYF President, Dr Legborsi Yamaabana and OCF President, Hon. Kenule Kukang, insisted that there several sons and daughters of Ogoniland, who are experienced in the oil and gas sector.

It reads: “On the issue of oil and gas resumption, we demand the immediate implementation of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee Report before March 1, 2026. Henceforth, Ogoni must enjoy the right of first refusal in all oil and gas-related activities within our land. Never again shall contracts and jobs meant for Ogoni people be hijacked by non-indigenes.

“We demand that the Ogoni field OML asset manager must be an Ogoni son or daughter, as we possess an abundance of qualified professionals. We reiterate our people’s demand for participatory equity across the entire exploration and production value chain.”

The groups insisted that the spill at the Yorla oil field in Kpean community in Khana local government area of Rivers State, which began in August 2025 was not as a result of sabotage, pointing out that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and his delegation who visited the site were misinformed.

“Regarding the Yorla oil spill , which commenced on August 7, 2025, in Kpean community, Khana local government area and remains unresolved to date, we categorically reject the false narrative circulating in some quarters that the spill was caused by sabotage.

“The joint investigation visit report, conducted with the consent and participation of all stakeholders, clearly confirmed that the incident resulted from equipment failure due to long-term corrosion.

“We assert that the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and his delegation were misinformed during their visit to the site on December 22, 2025. We trust in the NSA’s integrity and impartiality and strongly believe that, upon review of the facts, he will align with the JIV report and the position of Ogoni youths and stakeholders,” the groups said.