As the Federal Government intensifies efforts for oil exploration to resume in Ogoni, the people of the area have called on President Bola Tinubu to restore the confidence they once had in the country by boosting the Ogoni economy and the country’s revenue base after almost 30 years of inactivity.
The President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Fegalo Nsuke, who spoke at a meeting with grassroots Ogoni Kingdom Coordinators in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, urged the people of Ogoni to support Tinubu to “excel where other past leaders have failed in resolving the Ogoni issue.”
He said after years of fighting against Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and the Federal Government, the people of Ogoni are in expectations for full economic activities to return in their land.
Nsuke said that the people of Ogoni are no longer in the mood of endless agitation without any tangible benefits, expressing hope that oil exploration resumption will open up the local economy and impact on the national revenue base.
“The feedback we are getting from our people is massive. We can confidently say that our enlightenment campaigns have paid off. The position of our people has changed from ‘we don’t want any oil company to operate to bring us an oil company that will respect us and observe international best practices,” Nsuke said.
The MOSOP president said that the insincerity and lack of commitment displayed by previous governments made the country to lose over $178 billion in revenue from Ogoni.
“The inability of decision makers to peacefully resolve the Ogoni crises in almost 30 years has led to the loss of over $178 billion. This amounts to sabotaging the economy and national security.
“Show me anywhere in the world where endless violence and agitation have helped in the quest for development. We have fought our biggest enemy to a standstill and they know they are no longer welcome in Ogoni.
“We need a new player and we are banking on the President, who has shown concern and commitment to sustain the momentum for a win win situation for everyone involved.”
According to Nsuke, the people of Ogoni have embraced the Ogoni Development Authority (ODA) as a key blueprint for the development of the area, and only hope that the company that emerges as the next player works with the people in implementing it.