The Ogoni Communities comprises four local government areas in Rivers State were thrown into confusion last week following the decisions of some chiefs and elders in the Ogoni to endorse an oil multinational company prospecting for oil exploration in the locality. Some chiefs in the community had sanctioned, the oil exploration company to start another phase of oil extraction in Ogoni, but the action triggered a face-off among the chiefs, elders and youths in the area.
The President of Ogoni Youths Foundation, Mr. Dowell Badom while speaking with newsmen said “we will not allow any company that does not have the Ogoni people at heart to take over Ogoni Oil field (OML 11) and we don’t want any bloodshed in Ogoni again. What we need is generative investment and a company that will be friendly with the people, and must have direct interaction with relevant stakeholders of Ogoni, and direct negotiation with the Ogoni oil bearing communities, a company that will pay adequate compensations to owners of the land that had devastated families that paid supreme sacrifice. Any company that will take over oil facilities in Ogoni land must be properly assessed and acceptable by the Ogoni People.
“Finally we also want to put to public notice that no company will be allowed to operate in Ogoni land without the youths and Women involvement”. Mr. Dowell Badom who is also, a member of Kegbara Dere Youth Contact Group one of communities in Ogoni land that has over .65 oil well, flow stations, manifold, and the largest flow stations in West Africa, said any multinational company coming must engage the local people and the youths in every stage of their discussion, and he also emphasized that the two companies who have showed interest should remember that you cannot state operation without clean up, and accurate compensation must be paid to the land owners and they must engage the youths on the round table discussion. ###
