The Ogoni Central Indigenous Authority (OCIA) has vowed to resist the planned resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.
The group stated this during a peaceful protest in Kpite,Tai Local Goveenment Area on Sunday.
Carrying placards bearing inscriptions, “Stop oil resumption in Ogoni now”, the group sited deprivation, non-community inclusion and lack of transparency in ongoing Ogoni clean – up as basis for their position.
Mr Goodluck Diigbo, a US based president of the group in his address transmitted online, reaffirmed the group’s readiness to resist federal government oil resumption plan.
According to him, OCIA as a sovereign institution representing the Ogoni people is determined to ensuring that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples(UNDRIP) was implemented without further delay.
“We reject any attempt by the Nigerian government to exploit our land without our consent, this declaration is not merely political but in the best interest of our people.
“We will not forget in a hurry our sufferings over two decades ago, the devastating impact of an inhumane oil exploitation which claimed over 33,000 lives, poisoned our water bodies and degraded our environment.
‘The federal government oil business in Ogoni land rather than attract development and lift the people out of poverty left a devastating scare, this is the reason we must resist oil resumption to avoid a repeat,” Diigbo said.
Diigbo however, noted that the group remained open to embracing genuine investors who would also prioritize safety of lives and the environment in their quest for business profits.
Also speaking, Madam Sorbarisere Loveday, administive leader of the province who lead the peaceful protest said the exercise was a demonstration against planed oil resumption in the area.
According to her, the exercise which started in Eleme province without interruption experienced slight hitches in Tai as the paramount ruler of Tai tried to silence the people.
“Here in Kpite, the Paramount Ruler, King Samuel Nnee ganged up against unarmed protesters who were legitimately demanding for their rights.
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“With the aid of the Police and some of his loyalists, our exercise was truncated but out voices have been heard, she said.
Loveday, noted that despite all odds, the OCIA remained committed to protection of rights as well as preservation of the Ogoni ecosystem.
However, addressing the protesters before finally dispersing them, King Samuel Nnee, paramount ruler of Kpite, alleged that there is presently a standing order by a court of competent jurisdiction barring rights activism in Ogoniland.
Our correspondent reports that President Bola Tinubu had recently directed the national security adviser to engage Ogoni communities and stakeholders to finalize on how oil production could resume in the area.
