President Bola Tinubu has stated that his administration is committed to harnessing Ogoniland’s human and natural resource potential while assuring Nigerian communities’ environmental and economic security.
President Bola Tinubu has stated that his administration is committed to harnessing Ogoniland’s human and natural resource potential while assuring Nigerian communities’ environmental and economic security.
The President made this statement on Wednesday at the State House during a meeting with members of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers of Ogoni, Rivers State, chaired by King Samuel Nnee, Gbenemene Tai Kingdom and Paramount Ruler of Kpite Tai.
The President was responding to requests made by Ogoni leaders at the meeting, which was also attended by Mr Nyesom Wike, former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs; Mr Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources; and Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation.
Among the demands to the President is the resuscitation of oil and gas production in Ogoniland, which includes Rivers State’s Eleme, Khana, Gokana, and Tai LGAs.
“We must heal the wounds of the past, live and prepare for our children’s future, and be committed to uplifting the livelihoods of our people in a free Nigeria.
“This is all part of the healing process for the Ogoni people. I also inherited the Ogoni clean-up programme, which will be pursued diligently and honourably. The number of people we will empower will increase as time goes on.
“I am glad that this meeting has emphasized peace and stability through the resuscitation of businesses in Ogoniland. Without these businesses, this country’s recovery will be adversely affected.
“Safety precautions, as well as environmental and other challenges, must be looked into, and we will certainly do that.
“My unwavering dedication to freedom for all people and the value of democratic governance has not diminished because I have been elected by the people, and I have to make the people the central focus of our governance of Nigeria,” the President stated.
The President, who appointed his Official Spokesperson and, most recently, the Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) from the area, has committed to deepening collaboration with Ogoni leaders to create mutually beneficial economic opportunities for Ogoniland and Nigeria as a whole.
“I am ready to work with the Ogoni people and engage with the Government of Rivers State and the people of Nigeria to ensure that we give all of you a bright future in this country,” the President affirmed.
President Tinubu commended the former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of the FCT for his dedication to alleviating the plight of the Ogoni people.
“I share the same view about Ogoniland with the Minister of the FCT. He is very much concerned about the progress, peace, and stability of Ogoni people, and he has discussed this with me on a number of occasions, and I thank him for that,” the President said.
In his remarks, King Nnee commended President Tinubu for his numerous achievements within one year. He highlighted the ongoing construction work on the Onne-Junction/Eleme-Junction axis of the East-West Road.
“Your unspeakable dedication to service and empathy are the propelling forces behind your prompt response to our people’s yearnings which the past administrations have persistently promised and failed to meet,” he said.
According to the Paramount Ruler of Kpite Tai, prior administrations needed help to settle the difficulties surrounding the shutdown of oil production in Ogoniland.
He told the President that the Ogoni people are ready for the start of oil and gas production in Ogoniland, with the prospective unbundling of OML 11, which has an extra production capacity of 100,000 barrels per day and 120 million cubic feet of gas per day.
“This will contribute $5 billion per annum to Nigeria’s GDP on an asset currently owned 100 percent by the NNPCL.
“The people-driven vision of the Ogoni Economic Rebirth Project is a matter of the moment among our kith and kin. Our people’s hope is glowing with the expectation that the time to revitalize our land’s economic nerves is now.
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“The Ogoni people are gifted, peace-loving, and hospitable, and our children are making an impact across all sectors, including the oil industry, where they are prepared to bring their expertise to bear for the good of our people and the entire country,” the monarch said.
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