The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ogoni Liberation Initiative, Dr Fabeke Douglas, has declared that the creation of Bori State remains the only condition for the resumption of oil exploration and production in Ogoni.
Fabeke made the declaration on Thursday at Bori, Khana local government area of Rivers State, while outlining what he described as the historical and developmental basis for the creation of Bori State.
He said the demand for Bori State was not new, but rooted in historical records and previous government interventions on the development challenges facing Rivers South East.
According to him, the 1958 report of the Sir Henry Willink Minorities Commission identified state creation as a measure that could address the infrastructural and developmental challenges confronting Rivers South East.
He also cited the Technical Committee on the Niger Delta report as having reaffirmed the developmental deficits in the area.
Fabeke said the proposed Bori State would comprise seven Local Government Areas, with Bori Town as the capital.
The proposed state would comprise Oyigbo, Eleme, Tai, Gokana, Khana, Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas.
He said the proposed state had the potential to become an industrial hub, citing its strategic location, human capital and natural resources.
Fabeke maintained that the areas proposed for the state were among those identified decades ago as suffering from inadequate infrastructure.
“Therefore, we state unequivocally: Bori State is the only condition for oil resumption in Ogoni. Without addressing the political and developmental question of statehood, any other engagement will lack legitimacy and will not serve the people.”
He also paid tribute to the late Senator Cyrus Nunieh, whom he described as a key advocate who worked to advance the processes for the creation of Bori State.
Fabeke said the Ogoni Liberation Initiative remained committed to the campaign for state creation and would provide financial support when necessary to advance the cause.
He added that the organisation would release further documents and evidence relating to other issues affecting Ogoni, including compensation and environmental remediation.
He concluded that Bori State was not just an aspiration but a possible and necessary pathway to development for the area.
