Several traditional rulers in Ogoni, Rivers State, have called upon the Federal Government to include them in ongoing discussions about the planned resumption of oil exploration in their communities.
While speaking on Tuesday in Ogale Town, Eleme Local Government Area, the monarchs who were under the platform of the Paramount Rulers of Ogoni Oil and Gas Bearing Host Communities said they support the move to restart oil activities but insist that those directly affected must be part of the process.
Also, the Paramount Ruler of Ogale, HRH Godwin Bebe-Ukpabi, who read a resolution endorsed by 23 monarchs, urged the government to begin direct engagement with traditional leaders in oil-bearing areas.
Meanwhile, the efforts of President Bola Tinubu and the formation of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee stressed that host communities must not be sidelined.
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However the Ogoni has over 100 communities as only a fraction are oil-producing, and these communities have borne the environmental and economic consequences of decades of oil exploration while citing issues such as oil spills, loss of biodiversity, declining agricultural productivity, and worsening poverty.
The monarchs gave stern warnings that excluding them could lead to avoidable tensions and called for dialogue that would promote transparency and cooperation.
In addition, Professor Samuel Nwiideeduh said the demand for inclusion is aimed at preventing a repeat of past conflicts in Ogoniland.
He concluded that involving traditional rulers would help ensure a smoother and more widely accepted process going forward.
