Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Communities in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State have insisted that any plans to resume oil production in Ogoniland must be preceded by a clear commitment from the Federal Government to address community concerns, ensure fair resource distribution, and prevent environmental degradation.
At a stakeholders’ meeting with the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, Senator Barry Mpigi, representing Rivers Southeast at the National Assembly, emphasized that the Tai people are open to oil resumption but demand a structured approach that safeguards their interests.
“The Tai people are not opposed to oil resumption, but we want to see how it will be implemented. If the would-be operator listens to the terms of the Tai people, we can work together,” Mpigi declared.
The meeting, held at the Tai Council Secretariat in Saakpenwa, was part of the committee’s broader consultations across Ogoniland to develop a unified demand to present to the Federal Government.
Also speaking, Archbishop Ignatius Kattey (Rtd), Co-Chairman of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, assured the community that their concerns would not be ignored.
“Your voices are vital, and I assure you that all collated views will be integral to our demands as we negotiate with the Federal Government. This is our chance to ensure that our collective concerns are heard and addressed,” Kattey stated.
He also highlighted the Federal Government’s move to build confidence with the Ogoni people by approving the Federal University of Environment and Technology in Tai, which he described as a major step toward economic transformation.
“This university represents a beacon of hope and progress for our people. We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this initiative,” he added.
Tai traditional leaders and community representatives, including HRM King Samuel Nnee, King of Tai Kingdom, and Mr. Young Kigbara, Chairman of the Korokoro Community Development Committee, presented their demands, stressing the need for community involvement, environmental responsibility, and fair economic benefits before any oil activities resume.
The Ogoni Dialogue Committee further assured all stakeholders, including youth and women groups, that their perspectives will be included in shaping Ogoniland’s future.
