Group Decries Opposition To Oil Exploration In Ogoniland

A group, the Conscience of Ogoni People (COOP), has condemned the rising opposition against the resumption of oil exploration activities in Ogoniland, Rivers State.

The group disclosed this yesterday in a statement signed by its leader and spokesman, Chief Gani Topba, which was made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

The group stated that it welcomes the decision of the federal government to begin consultations with people of Ogoni on the resumption of oil operations in the area.

“While the COOP respects the views of all Ogoni sons and daughters as well as those who have identified in one way or the other with the Ogoni struggle for environmental justice, the COOP welcomes the decision by the federal government to begin consultations with Ogoni people on the resumption of oil operations in the area,” it said.

The statement declared that the administration of President Bola Tinubu, has substantiality met age-long demands of the people of the area for the resumption of oil exploration activities.

The statement  reads in part: “The COOP wishes to state unequivocally that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has substantially met these age-long demands of the Ogoni people, by swiftly embarking on the provision of critical infrastructures as well as correcting the injustices associated with the extra-judicial murder of the Ogoni heroes.

“These include: Assenting to the Bill for the Establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology, constitution of the Governing Council of the University and directing the release of funds for the immediate take-off of academic activities in the University.

“Conferment of post-humous National Honours on the ‘Ogoni Thirteen’ in recognition of the supreme price they paid for standing up for environmental and social justice not only for the people of Ogoniland but also for Nigeria as a whole.

“Acceleration of work on the construction of the East/West Road – a major artery connecting the Ogoni people to the world. Setting up of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee (ODC) to discuss and recommend to the Federal Government urgent infrastructural interventions to be made in Ogoniland to compensate for decade-long neglect and to pave way for a smooth re-entry into the area for purposes of oil operations.

“The ODC has submitted its report to the President who has promised to give swift consideration to the demands of Ogoni people expressed therein. Directive to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to commence engagements with Ogoni communities/stakeholders and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on the modalities for the resumption of oil operations.”