President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to work with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Ogoni community, and other stakeholders to fast-track plans for resuming oil production in Ogoniland.
The directive came on Wednesday at the State House in Abuja, following the presentation of a report by the Presidential Committee on the Ogoni Consultations, chaired by Professor Don Baridam. The Ogoni delegation was led by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Acknowledging the historical struggles of the Ogoni people, Tinubu stated:
“We are not, as a government, taking lightly the years of pain endured in Ogoniland. We recognise that, otherwise, we would not be here today. The Federal Government truly acknowledges the long suffering of the Ogoni people, and today, we declare with conviction that hope is here and is back with us.”
The president further instructed the NSA to immediately initiate dialogue between the Ogoni people, NNPCL, and relevant parties to finalize modalities for restarting operations. He emphasized that the process should begin with addressing “non-valuable assets,” which, according to him, provide no benefit to the community, the country, or its people.
