Full engagement of the people has been described as the solution to the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.
Speaking to Arise Television, an activist and indigene of Ogoni, Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa, noted that following international procedures and assessing the work done so far by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, in the cleaning-up of the polluted sites, are the means to pacify the people of the area of environmental degradation and injustice meted out to them.
“But the truth is if you want to come back to Ogoniland to start oil exploration, you must engage the people and that process of engagement must lead to solid negotiation and the people have to understand what they stand to benefit about the return of confidence to exploit our oil knowing that we are already suffering fatal environmental degradation that has kept the people at the worst state”, he emphasised.
Dr. Nwibubasa, who was also a former commissioner for Empowerment and Employment Generation in Rivers State, frowned at the statement made by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoni urged the Federal Government to deliberate on the memorandum drafted by the people’s representatives to win their confidence.
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Dr. Nwibubasa lamented that the people of Ogoni are marginalised in the scheme of things, calling for redress for equity and fairness.
“Yes, there are social, economic, environmental, and political issues and yet the Ogonis have presented this in every forum they have the opportunity to do so. Our leaders have been at all levels internationally and locally canvassing for a better deal for the Ogoni people. What do the Ogonis want? The Ogonis want their oil exploited, and they want a fair share of their own resources. But you see, there must be negotiation. We must protect the environment, we must ensure the people have a fair share and a political destiny to decide how to use their own resources”, he stressed.
He lauded the efforts of HYPREP in carrying out the remediation programme in the polluted areas and building the needed infrastructures to safeguard the people’s livelihood
“Apart from environmental remediation, the social aspect and livelihood programme are key to restoring the confidence of the people. But what I can say is that work is ongoing, and we can see water projects being commissioned, and hospitals being reactivated and renovated. A couple of people are being trained in different areas to ensure that it keeps its promise to the people”, he concluded.
The activist called on the Federal Government to do more on funding HYPREP to achieve its objectives.
