The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Limited, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), announced that it is set to commence oil exploration in Ogoniland, the oil-producing region that has been the hotspot for environmental degradation due to exploration activities over the years.
This was disclosed by the Managing Director of the company, Mr Ali Zara on Monday in a meeting with the Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI) in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers, adding that the demands of the people for development would be felt, including anti-pollution activities.
“What you are seeing here today is a demonstration of our existing cordial relationship with the Ogoni people.
“We truly share in your pains, first and foremost as Nigerians, and as a company.
“We will join you to pursue these demands. We will stand with you and will work with you to achieve the goals in the shortest period of time,” he said.
He also assured that the grievances of Ogoniland residents would be conveyed to the federal government. Meanwhile, Mr Douglas Fabeke, the convener and President of Ogoni Liberation Initiative, said the Ogoni ethnic nationality had given its consent to NPDC to resume oil exploration.
“We are happy to hand over the OML 15 oilfield to NPDC.
“The way to say sorry to the Ogoniland for the harm done to the people is to pay them compensation for the damages done to them,” Fabeke stated.
