Ogoni forum promises to resist FG’s attempt to force NPDC into oil exploration 

The Forum of Ogoni Oil and Gas Host Communities in Rivers State has promised to resist any attempt by the Federal Government to force the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) to resume oil exploration in the area.

The President of the group, Barituka Loanyie, issued the threat in a statement in Port Harcourt yesterday.

The document, which was countersigned by the Secretary of the group, Norcross Wifa, reportedly followed “wide consultation” with all strata of Ogoni people, including youths, women, opinion leaders and chiefs.

The executives spoke under the aegis of Ogoni Oil Producing Communities Forum.

They urged the Federal Government to withdraw the licence purportedly granted to NPDC to resume exploration on their land, “as it will not work.”

They said, “Ogoni Oil Producing Communities Forum expresses reservations about reports of the granting of operating Licence of OML 11 (in so far as it concerns Ogoniland) to Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

“We make bold to say that NPDC does not have the capacity to exploit oil and does not have the requisite pedigree of good corporate social responsibility. Communities where they have operated have told stories of woe.

“After due and thorough consultation with youth leaders, elders and chiefs of oil and gas host communities in Ogoni, we have come to the conclusion that the granting of the operational License of OML 11 to NPDC is unacceptable and stands rejected.”