The Ogoni Peoples’ Assembly (OPA) has demanded that an independent environmental assessment of Ogoniland be carried out before any resumption of oil production in the region.
This, it said, was necessary to ensure that environmental issues and concerns are thoroughly studied and verified before any production resumes.
The demand was contained in a press statement and signed by the OPA Leader, Rev. Probel Williams, coming as the Federal Government and Ogoni stakeholders continue to discuss the resumption of oil production.
The Assembly asked if an independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) had been conducted and demanded that if it existed, the report should be published.
It also demanded clarification on the fate of abandoned oil wells, flow stations, pipelines and other obsolete oil infrastructure in Ogoniland and whether they had been properly decommissioned or not.
According to the OPA, environmental safeguards and remediation measures must be part of the conditions for any responsible and lawful resumption of oil production in Ogoniland.
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The Assembly said it supported the resumption of economic activities in Ogoniland but opined that oil production should only resume through a transparent process that protects the environment and takes into account the interests of the affected communities.
The OPA demanded publication of any proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the resumption of oil production for public scrutiny before signing.
It said no agreement affecting Ogoni land, resources and the future of the people should be concluded without prior consideration and ratification by an Ogoni Congress.
The Assembly also demanded clarification on whether the proposed agreement, between the parties, contains environmental protection, remediation, royalties, compensation, dividends and ownership issues as integral parts.
The OPA made the creation of Bori State a condition in its position, demanding that the Federal Government sponsors an Executive Bill for the creation of the state rather than postponing it for an indefinite period.
On the proposed restructuring of the Ogoni portion of OML 11, the OPA demanded its unbundling into at least seven independent Petroleum Mining Leases with meaningful participation of Ogoni indigenes in ownership.
It proposed that not less than 60 per cent of the resulting licences be reserved (with a right of first refusal) for Ogoni indigenous companies, majority-Ogoni-owned companies or genuine partnerships involving indigenous companies.
The Assembly also demanded full disclosure of the proposed operator, partners, financiers and beneficial owners involved in the process.
On the ongoing confidence building process, the OPA demanded publication of the names of the 40 Ogoni persons reportedly employed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and their kingdoms or communities, their positions as well as the selection criteria used in the recruitment.
It also asked for details of confidence building contracts including the names of contractors, locations, contract sums, manner of award and execution status.
The Assembly also protested the exclusion of the OPA from the Ogoni Dialogue and Consultation process and demanded its representation on the ODC and participation in its committees and deliberations.
It called for the disclosure of the criteria for the selection of organisations and individuals for the dialogue, arguing that the exclusion of some significant organisations and individuals from the process could raise questions about the integrity of the exercise, says National Network Online publication.
The OPA said it remains committed to peaceful and lawful engagement but retained the right to pursue legal remedies, including recourse to the courts and regional and international human-rights mechanisms, if an agreement is concluded without adequate participation of affected communities and the Ogoni Congress.
It urged the Ogoni people to remain vigilant and use lawful community structures to demand accountability and that any eventual oil resumption agreement should be reached in openness and in good faith.
