The Founder of Social Action, a Non Governmental Organization in Nigeria, has said that the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoni land, in Rivers State, if allowed by the people will amount to a total betrayal of the people ever seen.
Mr. Celestine AkpoBari, who made the statement in a chat with newsmen noted that no compensation has ever been paid to the people of Ogoni from the time of exploration, which late Ken Saro-Wiwa calculated to the tune of 100 billion dollars.
He maintained that they will disrupt the economic activities of the country if nothing is done on the UNEP report, by Federal Government to clean up the peoples’ land, known as farmers and fishermen.
On the recent conference with Ogoni students, Mr. Celestine stated that the aim was to reinvigorate the cultural spirit of Ogoni land to the youths which was one of the ideals of late Ken Saro-Wiwa.
He, added that an office will be opened for the students to drive home the cultural vision, and protect the language of the people that is almost dead.
The National Coordinator of Ogoni Solidarity Forum, however, faulted the call by Senator Lee Maeba to destroy the Banana Plantation Project executed by Governor Amaechi’s administration in Ogoni land.
He wondered why Senator Lee Maeba will begin now to kick against a project that was sited during his tenure in government and never altered a word against it. Mr. Celestine explained that Senator Lee has nothing to show in Ogoni land after eight years of representing the people as done by those before him, adding that he is representing the devil’s interest and not the people of Ogoni.
He, opined that any attempt to destroy the plantation will amount to chaos, as the land has already settled all the community differences that had to do with ancestral boundaries.
The activist, who commended Governor Amaechi for given some political appointments to the people of Ogoni, described the government of Sir. Peter Odili as the worst thing that has happened to the people of Ogoni, even though his victory in election then, came from the people of Ogoni.
The Social Crusader, maintained that the people of Rivers State will have no option than to give to the people what belongs to them, by zoning the state governorship slot to the Ogonis come 2015, as any attempt to deny the people the opportunity will amount to pushing the people out to be a country of its own.
On the forth coming 10th year anniversary celebration of Late Saro-Wiwa, AkpoBari disclosed that conference with students and planting of flowers amongst others were some of the activities that have been lined up for the event.
He further urged the Rivers people to leave politicians alone, describing all of them as “Children of Odili” that will always settle at the end of the day and the need not to follow their political differences, adding that Grassroot Development Imitative (GDI) was not working for the interest of an Ogoni Governor.
While charging the people of Ogoni not to forget where they are coming from and who they are and not to allow resumption of oil exploration in the their land. ###
Blaise Elumezie
