Ogoni: NPDC set to resume oil production in abandoned oil wells

The Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Limited says it has concluded all plans to commence production in abandoned oil wells to the benefit of community and the country.

NPDC, which is a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), in a statement signed by Garba Deen Muhammad, Group General Manager (Public Affairs), NNPC on Tuesday, stated that the Mangaing Director of the Company, Mohammed AliZarah, mafe disclosure at an event by the Ogoni Liberation Initiative.

AliZarah noted that the company understood the concerns and yearnings of the Ogoni people and shared in their pain.

According to him, the NPDC and the Federal Government (FG) would work with the communities to ensure their environment was remediated and the activities not impact negatively on their environment but bring them development, employment and growth.

He said the organisation of the event by the Ogoni Liberation Initiative and the turn-up of various people including traditional rulers, youths and women had buoyed the confidence of the company

This, he described as ‘an act of love and solidarity.

“Indeed, this is a clear testimonial and demonstration of a strong cordial relationship that has existed between us over the years.

“This, for us is our social licence to operate in this peace-loving community,’’ he said

Mr AliZarah observed that it was in the best collective national interest of the country to speedily restore the environment of Ogoniland, and create the needed condition for the social-economic development of the communities.

“As a viable partner, we would join you to pursue the greater good of our people and the nation.

“We stand with you and would work with you to achieve this within the shortest possible time,” he said.

On the communique submitted by the Ogoni Liberation Initiative signed by leaders of various communities that makeup Ogoni land, AliZarah assured them that he would send the document to the management of the NNPC for onward transmission to the relevant quarters including the President.

Earlier, Douglas Fabeke, the Convener and leader of the Ogoni Liberation Initiative, organisers of the event, said the Ogoni people welcomed with great joy the intervention of the FG and the takeover of the oil exploration sites by NPDC following the judgement of the Appeal Court in Abuja.

He described the judgment and subsequent takeover of the sites by NPDC as liberation for the Ogoni people.

According to him, the people of Ogoni have looked forward to freedom over the years.

He assured the FG that the people of Ogoni would support all efforts aimed at restoring and exploring its huge natural resources for the benefit of the people.

“The Ogoni people are ready for oil and gas business deal in the land to entrench development in partnership with the NNPC/ Federal Government of Nigeria through a transformed template and practical community development delivered by the host communities.