Resumed Oil Exploration: Group Advocates Military Taskforce In Ogoniland

Ahead of the planned resumption of oil exploration activities in Ogoniland, a group, the Conscience of Ogoni People (COOP) has called on President Bola Tinubu, to set up a Joint Military Task Force to secure government assets, oil facilities and private sector investments in the area.

COOP leader, Chief Gani Topba, who made the call while speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Saturday, said setting up JTF in the area will also create a leeway for investors to troop into Ogoniland.

Topba stated that influx of more investors into the area will create employment opportunities for Ogoni youths and women, adding that Ogoniland has great potential for rapid real estate growth and development.

“We are calling on President Bola Tinubu, to set up a Joint Military Task Force in Ogoniland to secure government assets, oil facilities and private sector investments in the land.

“This will create a leeway for investors to troop into Ogoniland, and the effect will be rapid employment opportunities for the youths and women of Ogoni, especially now that the Bodo-Bonny Road is almost completed and will soon be commissioned.

“Ogoniland has great potentials for rapid real estate growth and development and we cannot afford to allow this sector remain dormant and untapped,” he said.

Topba added that as his group welcomed the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland, strengthening the security architecture in the area will help to curb oil facility and pipeline vandalism.

He further clamoured for the arrest of all suspected pipeline vandals to be investigated and prosecuted without fear or favour, “to serve as deterrent to those who will want to sabotage the economy, especially now that we have recently seen few cases of incitement against the interest of government and the Ogoni people.”