Damilola Ayomide
The crisis rocking operations at the oil Mining License OML 11 is yet to be over, as the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers of Ogoni has distanced itself from, and urged the Ogoni people and the general public to discountenance the reported declaration of a so-called Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI) authorising the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited (NPDC) to commence oil production in Ogoni without the consent and approval of the people.
They have also warned OLI to desist from anything that would throw Ogoni into crisis, and also warned prospective investors including the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited to avoid passing through the back door as that would not yield any valuable result.
The traditional rulers who were reacting to the OLI’s declaration of total support for NPDC to start operation on OML 11 in statement signed by HRH (Sir) King Samuel L.A. Nnee, JP AmbP FIIM Gbenemene Tua Tua Tai and Paramount Ruler of Kpite Tai who double as Publicity Secretary of the council, alleged that NPDC was sneaked to Bori -Ogoni through the back door to come and resume extraction of oil in their communities without consultation and endorsement of the generality of the Ogoni people.
The President of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers of Ogoni and Gbenemene Tai Kingdom, HRM King Godwin N.K. Gininwa, OFR, JP stated this on Sunday in his palace at Korokoro Tai
He said: “On behalf of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers of Ogoni and the entire traditional institution in Ogoni, we wish to state that we are unaware of the reported development. Thus, we frown at the activities and assertion of the pseudo body, Ogoni Liberation Initiative. Insofar as we are concerned, the Ogoni people especially the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers of Ogoni, MOSOP, KAGOTE, Political Class and the elites had not met and permitted that oil mining either by the NPDC or any other investor should commence in Ogoni now. We therefore warn the OLI against actions that would throw Ogoni into crisis”.
“For any company to be qualified for our social licence, it must qualify in all ramifications, including ability to meet our conditions spelt out in the Ogoni template regarding investment in Ogoni; technical competence, environmental protection and management, respect for our rights including acceptable corporate social responsibility amongst others”.
“We would use this opportunity to call on all sons and daughters of Ogoni to be calm and cautious and resist all lures or temptations to rush into any engagement with any company or individual with regards to oil production resumption or any other investment in Ogoni. That at an appropriate time an all-inclusive meeting of the people shall be convened to deliberate on this sensitive matter and a resolution representing the common interest of the people reached and made public”.
“However, we would warn prospective investors including the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited to avoid passing through the back door as that would not yield any valuable result. We would likewise caution the indigenous corporation and other potential investors to beware of quasi groups and commercial activists that are just out to dupe unsuspecting investors. Furthermore, we counsel the NNPC subsidiary to desist from under hand tendencies that would rather than accord it encomiums would decimate its reputation while her desires remain unmet”.
The traditional Council say nonetheless, it wish to use this opportunity to reaffirm for the umpteenth time that the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) is not divided but united under the leadership of Prince Biira as its President.
“KAGOTE, the apex Elitist social-cultural organization of Ogoni people led by its President, Rt Hon. Emmanuel Deeyah and the Political Class led by the Distinguished Senator Barinada Mpigi, alongside the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers of Ogoni headed by our Father and Paramount Ruler of Ogoniland, His Royal Majesty King G.N.K. Gininwa OFR JP, Gbenemene Tai Kingdom, are all recognised leadership organizations working together for the total emancipation and development of the people and we call on the people to support and cooperate with the leadership.”
It stated that the rancour, bitterness and division in their land, have no doubt adversely affected it progress and stability. “It is undeniable that they are no less ill wind that has blown no one of us any good hence the need for us to eschew intolerance and acrimony if we must move forward. The need for us to come together as one is now since the task ahead is enormous.”
On Monday, 23 August, 2021, OLI reportedly brought the NPDC into Bori-Ogoni having sneaked the firm through the back door into Ogoni and authorised them to resume oil extraction in our communities, ignoring consultation and endorsement of the people, he said.
