President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday assured that his administration was committed to unlocking the human and natural resource potential of Ogoniland, while ensuring the environmental and economic security of the people and Nigerian communities, generally.
Tinubu gave the assurance at State House, Abuja, during a meeting with members of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers of Ogoni, Rivers State, led by King Samuel Nnee, Gbenemene Tai Kingdom, and Paramount Ruler of Kpite Tai.
The president was responding to requests presented by the Ogoni leaders at the meeting, which was also attended by former governor of Rivers State and incumbent Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike; Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Engr. Abubakar Momoh; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris.
Among the requests to the president were the resuscitation of oil and gas production in Ogoniland, which comprises Eleme, Khana, Gokana, and Tai local government areas of Rivers State.
The president said, “We must heal the wounds of the past. We must live and prepare for the future of our children, and we must 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.
“There is equally the Ogoni clean-up programme that I inherited. That will be pursued diligently and honourably. The number of people that we will empower will increase as time goes on.
“I am glad that this meeting has emphasised peace and stability through the resuscitation of businesses in Ogoniland. Without these businesses, the recovery of this country will be adversely affected.
“Safety precautions, 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.”
Having appointed his official spokesperson and, most recently, Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) from the area, the president said he was committed to deepening collaboration with Ogoni leaders to create mutually-beneficial economic opportunities for Ogoniland and Nigeria at large.
“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,” he stressed.
Tinubu commended Wike for his dedication to alleviating the plight of the Ogoni people.
He stated, “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.”
Earlier, in his remarks, King Nnee commended Tinubu for his numerous achievements within one year in office. The traditional ruler highlighted the ongoing construction work on the Onne-Junction/Eleme-Junction axis of the East-West Road.
He said regarding Tinubu’s feats, “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.”
According to the paramount ruler, previous administrations were unable to resolve the pertinent issues associated with the shutting down of oil production in Ogoniland.
He informed the president that the Ogoni people were prepared for the commencement of oil and gas production in Ogoniland with the potential unbundling of OML 11 – bearing an additional production capacity of 100,000 barrels per day and 120 million cubic feet of gas per day.
According to the monarch, “This will contribute $5 billion per annum to Nigeria’s GDP on an asset that is currently owned 100 percent by the NNPCL.
“The people-driven vision of the Ogoni Economic Rebirth Project is the matter of the moment among our kith and kin. Our people’s hope is glowing with the expectation that the time to revitalise the economic nerves of our land is now.
“Ogoni people are gifted, peace-loving, and hospitable, and our children are making an impact across all sectors, as well as the oil industry, from where they are prepared to bring their expertise to bear for the good of our people and the entire country.”
Deji Elumoye
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