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Tinubu, Fubara: Oil production to restart in Ogoni soon as Ogoni leaders urged to let peace reign
Following a strategic meeting between President Bola Tinubu, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and key stakeholders in River State, agreement has been established to restart oil production in the state.
Yesterday, Tinubu and Fubara identify restoration of peace to Ogoniland as a major prerequisite for its clean-up and development.
In a meeting led by the Rivers State governor, Ogoni leaders urged by president Tinubu to jettison their age-long dispute and grievances and support his administration to achieve its target goals in Ogoniland.
The meeting was aimed at restarting oil production and environmental clean-up in the Ogoni communities, among other issues.
According to a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the president, Tinubu assured the Ogoni leaders that his administration is committed to installing peace, justice and sustainable development in the Ogoniland.
“We cannot in any way rewrite history, but we can correct some anomalies of the past going forward.
“We cannot heal the wounds if we continue to be angry,” the statement read.
President Tinubu, who advocated inclusive consultation and mutual understanding, tasked National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to oversee negotiation.
The president commended the delegation on embracing the Federal Government-led dialogue team, and stressed the need for cooperation, trust and inclusiveness to lay prolonged issues, in the region, to bed.
“We must work together with mutual trust. Go back home, do more consultations, and embrace others.
“We must make this trip worthwhile by bringing peace, development, and a clean environment back to Ogoniland,” the President said.
In the statement, the president said: “It is a great honour for me to have this meeting, which is an opportunity to dialogue with the people of Ogoniland.
“It has been many years since your children and myself partnered to resist military dictatorship in this country. No one dreamt I would be in this chair as President, but we thank God.
“Many of your sons present here were my friends and co-travelers in the streets of Nigeria, Europe, and America.
“I know what to do in memory of our beloved ones so that their sacrifices will not be in vain.”
President Bola Tinubu (Centre), Federal capital territory Minister Nyesome Wike (Right), Rivers State Governor Simi Fubara (Left) in S Photo Posture With Delegates Of Ogoniland. Photo Credit: Morganable
Commending President Tinubu on his support for the people of Ogoniland by welcoming an all-inclusive delegates to the House, the Rivers State governor said the meeting was a back-up on an assignment given to him by president Tinubu through the NSA.
Stressing the importance of restarting oil production in Ogoniland, Fubara assured the delegation’s commitment to strictly carry out the president’s directives and guaranteeing the necessary assistance to achieve the government’s objective.
Fubara said: “What we are doing here today is to concretise the love and respect we have for the President for being behind this meeting and for him to tell us to go back and continue the consultations with a timeline so that the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland will commence.”
The Rivers State governor also praised the people of Ogoniland for trusting in president Tinubu and accepting dialogue as a means to meaningful progress and enduring solutions.
“Guided by Mr. President’s vision that every voice is heard and every interest is considered, my office, the DSS, the government of Rivers State and the Minister of FCT embarked on a diligent and consultative process to assemble this delegation,” the NSA said.
He pointed that the more-than-fifty delegated members that met with the president mirrored the rich diversity of Ogoni society, representing numerous constituencies, interests, and viewpoints.
“The presence of this delegation is a testament to the Ogoni people’s readiness to engage constructively in the pursuit of peace, justice, and sustainable development,” he said.
Among the delegates was King Festus Babari Bagia Gberesaako XIII, the Gberemene of Gokana Kingdom, who spoke on behalf of the people of Ogoniland, express their interests in engaging in the process of providing lasting solutions to the prolonged challenges in Ogoniland.
Also at the meeting were Senator Bennett Birabi, Barynada Mpigi and Joe Porom, Magnus Abe, and Lee Maeba; Olaka Nwogu, Victor Giadom, Chief Kenneth Kobani, Monsignor Pius Kii, Leedon Mitee and Gabriel Piidomson.
Yesterday, Minister of the Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said that remediation of thirty-six polluted sites in Ogoniland have been completed.
He said other seven additional water projects have been done as a part of the administration’s commitment to environmental reinstatement and development in the Ogoniland.
The minister, who spoke following the meeting at the Presidential Villa, pinpointed the Tinubu-led administration’s important drive to tackle longstanding environmental challenges in the region.
He said: “This administration has been doing very well because the project has been there for over five years, but the commitment of President Tinubu has moved it forward remarkably.”
Stating that prior to Tinubu Administration, Ogoniland only had one water project in place, the minister stressed: “As I’m talking to you now, eight have been commissioned, so seven have been commissioned under the administration of President Tinubu.”
Additionally, he noted that the administration has made substantial progress in the remediation of the polluted sites.
“In the area of remediation, we have done about 36 sites; they have been completed, and they’ve been certified as environmentally conducive for people,” the minister stated.
Stating government’s stride in achieving success in addressing health concerns emanating from pollution, Lawal said that efforts have been made to construct medical facilities and conduct comprehensive health tests in conjunction with World Health organization (UNO).
In his words, he said: “We are doing a very comprehensive analysis of the kind of ailments in that area, and we are working to address the issues of pollution-related illnesses.
“Restoring Ogoniland’s ecosystems has been another priority, with significant attention given to mangrove reforestation.
“So far, we have planted more than two million seedlings of mangroves in the last six months, and we’re still on that.
“The mangroves are the source of livelihood for many, supporting fish, shrimp, and crab populations.”
Lawal expressed hope about the active efforts to reinstate peace and economic activities, plus oil production, in Ogoniland.
“I feel that this administration, more than any other, has done so well for them in trying to bring them back to where they were,” the minister concluded.
Oil Production To Restart In Ogoni Soon − Tinubu, Fubara
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