President Bola Tinubu says his administration is committed to unlocking the human and natural resource potential of Ogoniland, while ensuring the environmental and economic security of Nigerian communities.
The President stated this on Wednesday in the House of Representatives during a meeting with members of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers of Ogoni, Rivers State, headed by Samuel Nnee of 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 former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Abubakar Momoh; the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, and the Minister of Information and National Guidance, Mohammed Idris.
Among the requests to the President is the revival of oil and gas production in Ogoniland, which comprises Eleme, Khana, Gokana and Tai Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
“We must heal the wounds of the past. We must live and prepare for the future of our children, and we must commit to improving the livelihoods of our people in a free Nigeria.
“This is all part of the healing process of the Ogoni people. There is also the Ogoni cleansing program that I inherited. This will be pursued with diligence and honorability. The number of people we 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 negatively affected.
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“Safety precautions, environmental and other challenges must be examined, and we certainly will do so.
“My unwavering dedication to the freedom of all people and the value of democratic governance has not diminished because I have been elected by the people, and I must make the people the central focus of our governance of Nigeria,” the president said.
After appointing his official spokesperson and, more recently, the Director General of the area’s National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the President pledged to deepen collaboration with Ogoni leaders to mutually create economic opportunities beneficial to Ogoniland and Nigeria at large.
“I am ready to work with the Ogoni people and collaborate with the Rivers State Government and the people of Nigeria to ensure that we give everyone a bright future in this country,” the President said.
President Tinubu commended the former Rivers State Governor and FCT Minister for his dedication to alleviating the plight of the Ogoni people.
“I share the same opinion on Ogoniland as the FCT Minister. He is very concerned about the progress, peace and stability of the Ogoni people, and he has discussed this with me on several occasions and I thank him for that,” the president said.
In his remarks, Mr. Nnee commended President Tinubu for his numerous achievements in the year of his tenure, highlighting the ongoing construction works on the Onne-Junction/Eleme-Junction axis of the East-West road.
“His indescribable dedication to service and empathy are the driving forces behind his prompt response to the longings of our people that past administrations have persistently promised and failed to deliver,” he said.
According to the Kpite Tai paramount ruler, previous administrations were unable to resolve pertinent issues associated with the closure of oil production in Ogoniland.
He informed the President that the Ogoni people are prepared for the commencement of oil and gas production in Ogoniland with the possible unbundling of OML 11, with an additional production capacity of 100,000 barrels per day and 120 million cubic feet of gas per day .
”This will contribute $5 billion annually to Nigeria’s GDP in an asset currently 100 percent owned by NNPCL.
“The people-driven vision of the Ogoni Economic Renaissance Project is the talk of the moment among our family and friends. The hope of our people shines with the expectation that now is the time to revitalize the economic sinews of our land.
“The Ogoni people are talented, peace-loving and hospitable, and our children are having an impact in all sectors, as well as in the oil industry, from where they are prepared to contribute their experience for the good of our people and the whole the country,” said the monarch.
Ajuri Ngelale
Special advisor to the president
(Media and advertising)
May 15, 2024