Gbo Kabaari Debunks Resumption Of Oil Exploration By NDPC In Ogoni

Gbo Kabaari, an Ogoni Elders Forum has denied the resumption of Oil and Gas exploration by Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), the exploration arm of the Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) in Ogoni.

In a press statement signed by the chairman of the organisation, chief Monday Abueh, he noted in dismay that the newspaper publication indicating that NPDC has concluded plans to resume oil exploration in the area after reaching an agreement with the people led by an NGO named Ogoni Liberation Initiative.

Describing the publication as capable of being a sinister plot to precipitate another round of crisis that would be used as an excuse to once again eliminate the Ogoni leadership and it’s people, he maintained that there has never been any conversation with the Ogoni leadership regarding the matter, adding that no agreement has been reached as alleged.

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“The issue of resumption of oil and gas exploration in Ogoni is a very sensitive issue requiring a painstaking multi-stakeholders consultation which has not occurred.

“The Ogoni ethnic nationality cannot be represented in such conversations by an NGO of doubtful pedigree which we understand has been coercing some unsuspecting village chiefs into signing papers to them on bogus promises…”, the statement read in parts.

He further called on Ogoni people to be steadfast and vigilant while resisting any form of attempt using the current situation or any other similar guise to provoke any violence or division in Ogoni land.

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