BREAKING: Ogoni oil communities threaten mass action over alleged exclusion from exploration talks
Oil-bearing communities in the Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State have threatened mass action over alleged exclusion from ongoing negotiations with the Federal Government on the resumption of oil production in the area.......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>
The communities, Mogho, K-Dere, B-Dere, Bera, Bodo, Kpor and Gbe, said though they were not opposed to the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland, they warned against exclusion from subsequent negotiations.
They said as host to the oil fields, manifolds and other installations in Ogoni, they should play a major role in the negotiation process rather than be sidelined because they will bear the brunt of the impact of the resumption of oil production there.
This was part of a communiqué issued by the monarchs and people of the oil-producing communities of Gonna local council after a meeting on Saturday and sent to our correspondent.
The communiqué was signed by His Royal Highness Stephen Kpea, the paramount ruler of Mogho; His Royal Highness Kadilo Sooh, the paramount ruler of B-Dere; and Chief Isaac Gbeetee, acting paramount ruler, K-Dere.
Other signatories are His Royal Highness John Berebon, the paramount ruler of Bodo; His Royal Highness Avalobari Ntaoh, the paramount ruler of Kpor; His Royal Highness Friday Dimkpa Gia, and the paramount ruler of Gbe; His Royal Highness Magus Dekor, the paramount ruler of Bera.
Expressing delight over the call by the Federal Government for the return of oil production to their land, the people emphasized that fishermen and farmers in the communities suffered a similar fate in the past and will likely face a similar situation hence they must play a leading role in all further engagements in the negotiating process.
They further threatened to make their lands inaccessible if they were not actively involved in the negotiating process for the resumption of oil exploration.
The communiqué partly reads, “We, the representatives of oil producing communities in Gokana Local Government Area of Ogoni met on Saturday, January 26, 2025, over the recent call for oil resumption in Ogoni and resolved as follows:
“We note with delight the presidential call for negotiated return of oil operations in Ogoni after over three decades of operational closure.
“We as oil-bearing- highly impacted communities are not opposed to any germane process that will lead to an early return of oil companies to our land.
“But we shall vehemently oppose and reject any ongoing or future process that seems clearly to ignore or consign to the background communities, landlords, farmers/fishermen whose livelihoods are or will be injuriously impacted resulting from the proposed oil resumption in Ogoni.
“In as much as we appreciate other Ogoni people who are currently leading in the settlement discussion, we hereby restate our resolve to play a leading role in all further engagements because we majorly bear the negative impacts of oil operations.
“Finally, as hosts to major oil fields, flow stations, manifolds, and a gateway to the Bonny Export Terminal, we make bold to say that the eventual outcome of any negotiations without our active participation will be rejected and our land/communities made inaccessible thereafter.