A member of the House of Representatives, Dr Awaji-Inombek Abiante, has said oil exploration and production can only resume in Ogoniland after genuine reconciliation and environmental remediation.
Abiante, who represents Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency of Rivers, made the remark in a statement issued on Thursday in Port Harcourt on the proposed resumption of oil activities in the area.
He said economic growth and energy security were important but should not come at the expense of the rights, health, dignity and future of the Ogoni people.
“My position is clear: any proposed resumption of oil exploration or production in Ogoniland must be preceded by genuine reconciliation, environmental responsibility, transparency and meaningful agreement with the people,” he said.
He said historical grievances of the Ogoni people, including those contained in the Ogoni Bill of Rights, should be addressed before new oil production could begin.
Abiante called on the Federal Government and corporate actors involved in the process to engage communities with sincerity, openness and respect.
According to him, sustainable peace in Ogoniland must be founded on justice, trust and genuine reconciliation rather than political agreements alone.
The lawmaker also demanded substantial and measurable progress in the implementation of the environmental remediation programme recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
“Clean water, restored farmlands, rehabilitated waterways, mangrove restoration and public health protection must be prioritised before new extraction activities.
“The people of Ogoniland cannot be asked to accept new oil production while the environment consequences of past production remain unresolved,” he said.
He also called for transparency and wider community participation in ongoing discussions on the proposed resumption of oil activities.
Abiante said legitimate representative of host communities, traditional institutions, youths, women, civil society organisations and other stakeholders should be involved in the process.
“No agreement reached behind closed doors can substitute for genuine grassroots consent,” he said.
The lawmaker said any future oil production framework must ensure that host communities receive tangible and sustainable benefits from resources extracted from their land.
He advocated investments in healthcare, education, infrastructure, environmental protection, local enterprises and sustainable employment opportunities for youths in the region.
Abiante said Ogoniland and the wider Rivers South East Senatorial District deserved a future beyond environmental degradation and resource exploitation.
“Our people deserve clean air, safe drinking water, productive farmland, healthy waterways, decent infrastructure and genuine economic opportunity,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government, Office of the National Security Adviser, regulatory agencies, NNPC Limited, prospective operators and other stakeholders to procced with caution and transparency.
According to him, the ongoing dialogue presented an opportunity to correct past mistakes and establish a new relationship based on trust, justice and shared prosperity.
“Ogoniland must not be asked to choose between development and dignity. We can and must have both,” he said.
