The Ogoni leaders have called for justice and equity as a prerequisite for the proposed resumption of oil extraction in the area.
This was disclosed during a town hall meeting between various Ogoni communities and the Ogoni Dialogue Committee in Kpor, the headquarters of Gokana LGA, on Sunday.
The meeting follows recent discussions between President Bola Tinubu and Ogoni leaders regarding the proposed recommencement of oil activities, which had been suspended since 1993 due to unrest in the area.
The initiative is part of the aim to increase the nation’s oil production to over two million barrels per day.
Speaking for the Bera Community in Gokana, Mr Goddy Baadom stressed that the creation of a Bori state must be prioritised as a fundamental condition for the resumption of oil activities.
“The creation of Bori State is a necessity if oil is to be extracted in the Bera community,” he stated.
In the meeting, the other demands include the full implementation of the Ogoni Bill of Rights, the provision of essential infrastructure for Ogoni communities, and a stake in any prospective oil company that would drill oil from Ogoniland.
“This meeting has been convened to gather the views of the Ogoni people, which will assist the dialogue committee in presenting a position to the Federal Government regarding its planned oil activities in Ogoniland,” he explained.
“We are here to ensure that the voices of the Ogoni people in Gokana, and indeed all Ogonis, are clearly heard in the ongoing dialogue with the Federal Government.”
Kattey urged all Gokana communities to submit written memoranda to ensure their demands are incorporated into the final set of demands to the government.
The King of the Gokana Kingdom, Festus Bagia, described the dialogue process as a significant milestone in the Ogoni people’s pursuit of justice and equity.