The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) in a document titled ‘Memorandum on benchmarks for engagement between Ogoni Community and Companies desiring to take over the operatorship of Ogoni Fields in OML 11’, gave conditions for the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.
Chairman of the Draft Committee on the Memorandum, Prof Ben Naanen on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 , said any oil firm desiring to do business in Ogoniland must take seriously the need to reduce poverty through sustainable oil and gas investment in the area, Punch reports.
Naanen, a former MOSOP President, who presented the draft to some of the stakeholders in Port Harcourt, added that apart from gas-powered electrification of Ogoni, such companies were expected to work towards the reduction of poverty-related security threats in the communities.
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The chairman said the deliverables in the memorandum were that “8,000 direct and indirect jobs are created to stimulate production, consumption and economic growth in the area.
“Oil and gas facilities and operations boost local, state and federal revenues. Improvement in health, education and social infrastructure through effective benefits-sharing and CSR programmes by oil and gas companies.
“Improvement in the security situation in Ogoni deriving from the opportunities that have been created, especially for the youths. The vehicle for the delivery of these objectives and deliverables is an innovative model of benefit-sharing agreement with the government and oil companies.”
Naanen said the committee, which would be known as Ogoni Oil and Gas Committee, was created the document (draft memorandum) to address how the ordinary Ogoni man could benefit directly from the oil resources in Ogoni and not as determined by the elite.
He noted that the 13 per cent derivation for the development of Niger Delta had not been well managed and called on lawmakers in the region to create a system that would ensure that those managing the derivation were made to account for it.
MOSOP President, Legborsi Pyagbara, said many had died during the struggle to achieve the best practices in oil exploration in Ogoni and other oil producing communities.
Pyagbara said, “At least 2,000 souls were lost and the hallmark was the eventual departure of Shell some years ago. It (oil exploration) is no longer an issue between the government and the oil company, but an issue that has been joined by the community.”
He said the draft report of the committee would be made public after it had been approved all stakeholders, including the kingdoms in Ogoniland.
Yetunde Adegoke
