OML 11 Controversy: Ogoni groups proffer solutions to end agitations

As part of measures to end the lingering issues associated with the OML 11, the Ogoni Peoples Assembly (OPA) has urged Federal Government to give operating license of the disputed oilfield to XAVON Energy, an indigenous oil firm.

Probel Williams, OPA leader, said that allowing the indigenous firm to operate the oil field will put any renewed agitations to an end.

He said the need to give the operating license of the OML 11 to the indigenous firm is premised on matters of trust.

OPA leader noted that as a community, they have been cheated out of the benefits any thriving oil-producing community should enjoy ever since foreign oil firms exploration began in Ogoniland.

He explained that there is an extreme case of youth unemployment as well as daunting security challenges the communities have been exposed to.

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“We are of the view that much as it is the responsibility of government to address the above situations, it is our own responsibility to assist the government by supporting the utilisation of the resources in our land for the desired goal.

“The Ogoni oil fields have been abandoned for 26 years due to the intractable fight against the modus operandi of the IOCs particularly the SPDC. We have been looking forward to a day we can find a Nigerian company that understand our plight and can work with the Ogoni people. And we believe we have found such in Xavon Energy.” he said.

Nature Kieghe, the Chief Executive Officer of Youth Rescue International Development Organisation, in a statement also urged the Federal Government to act fast in granting their desires as their people were beginning to lose faith in them as regards the OML 11 controversy.

According to him: “The next time we are going to talk about this, we will do something that will shake the whole world.”