Ogoni Committee Resumes Consultations On Oil Production, Development Agenda

Undeterred by the disruptions that greeted the first consultative meeting in Bori two weeks ago, the Ogoni Dialogue Facilitator Committee has resumed town hall meetings across Ogoni Local Government Areas to discuss the potential resumption of oil and gas production, as proposed by the Federal Government. The meetings aim to gather community input on development plans for Ogoniland.
The most recent town hall meeting took place at Gberesako Hall in Kpor, Gokana Local Government Area, where the committee received memoranda and opinions from various stakeholders, including churches, youth groups, community organizations, and professional associations.
Proceedings at the meeting were coordinated by the committee’s chairman, Prof. Don Baridam, who said the committee would take resolutions from the communities and stakeholders as inputs to the final resolutions that would be presented to the President.
The 17 communities of Gokana LGA, through their representatives, presented a comprehensive list of demands as conditions for the resumption of oil activities. Key demands included Establishment of a Community Trust Fund, Implementation of the Ogoni Bill of Rights, Creation of Ogoni State, and Compensation for families of the Ogoni 13 and victims of the Ogoni struggle.
They also demanded for Scholarships and vocational training centers for Gokana youths, they also demanded for Job creation and improved livelihoods, and Massive infrastructural development based on community development blueprints.
The Chairman of Gokana Local Government, Mr. Monday Dumyie, expressed gratitude to the participants for the peaceful conduct of proceedings at the meeting.
Ogoni Youths Assembly International (OYAI) commended the dialogue and the people of Gokana for accepting to embrace the proposal to resume oil production in the area.
However, the Ogoni Peoples Assembly (OPA) has criticized the current dialogue process, expressing concerns about its integrity, inclusivity, and adherence to best practices.
In a statement issued by the Leader and Secretary of OPA, Tom Probel Willaims and Dr. Epaabari Evidence Enoch, OPA called for a more robust re-entry plan, which must include national honors for the Ogoni 13, fast-tracking of Bori State creation, full implementation of the Ogoni Bill of Rights, industry leadership and participation for Ogoni indigenes, Social and economic justice, Reparation for environmental damage and full implementation of the UNEP report.
OPA also demanded a robust re-entry plan with employment and empowerment initiatives, establishment of refineries and petrochemical industries in Ogoni, and resolution of the alleged $300 million compensation for Ogoni people.
It warned against cosmetic confidence-building measures, such as primary school renovations, and called for substantial federal government investments, including the immediate takeoff of the Federal University of Environment and Technology.
The next consultation meeting has been scheduled for Tai Local Government Area.