COALITION OF RIVERS OIL AND GAS HOST COMMUNITIES (CROGHCOM) UNCOVERS ILL-CONCEIVED AGENDA BY NIGERIAN PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY(NPDC) ON OGONI RE-ENTRY PLAN
We want to draw the attention of the world and other Niger Delta communities to the conflict already brewing in Ogoni owing to the shady and desperate attempt by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company -NPDC to resume oil exploration activities in the area. We want to make it clear that our coalition does not oppose the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoni as it portends great economic and social benefits not only for the Ogoni people but Nigeria at large, we only frown on any act of insincerity in the process, or deceitful negotiations that fail to address the pertinent issues affecting the host communities and the generality of Ogoni people.
Beyond other dark edges surrounding the quest by NPDC to commence oil exploration and exploitation in Ogoni, our coalition has sighted the document underpinning their re-entry plans into Ogoni. The document entitled, “The Ogoni Re-entry Project Execution plan” reveals a number of companies already shortlisted to be awarded different contracts upon recommencement of oil exploration in Ogoni. It shows that top jobs in different Ogoni communities will be awarded to these already identified companies. To add insult to injury, page ten of the same document clearly proclaims that the indigenes of Ogoni would be given contracts for grass cutting, fencing, security and the like. We see these steps not only as insulting and senseless but inhumane and a precursor for conflict.
We want to state that this path taken by NPDC is familiar to the Ogonis. It is the same path that led to the pogrom meted on them which claimed the lives of thousands of prominent and promising sons and daughters of that land. Therefore, we will not sit idly and watch NPDC and its sidekicks institute or instigate another round of bloodbath in the beautiful land of Ogoni.
The Ogoni issue is a peculiar one, and we want NPDC to know that if after the years of the Ogoni struggle and huge sacrifices, what they think the Ogonis deserve are mere grass cutting and security jobs, then it is the view of our Coalition that it the crudest mindset for which we would not support.
The senseless attacks and killings presently going on in some communities in Ogoni should be a thing of primary concern to everyone who means well for Ogoni and not the hasty and clandestine attempt aimed at the so-called re-entry. It smacks of insensitivity and callousness for some individuals to present themselves as merchants of conflict who are set on commercialising the pains and struggles that our past and present heroes in Ogoni fought and died for.
We, therefore, call on NPDC to desist from the divide and rule tactics in Ogoni by forcefully trying to reenter into Ogoni through the back doors as it will definitely hit a brick wall. The coalition will take and follow every legal and mass action to ensure that the rights of our people are protected.
Signed
Barituka Loanyie
Chairman – CROGHCOM
