The Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the development of Ogoniland, emphasizing ongoing efforts to improve the lives of its people.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Newsnight on Monday, Momoh highlighted Tinubu’s engagement with Ogoni leaders, including traditional rulers, political figures, and religious leaders, as part of efforts to foster peace and resume oil exploration in the region.
“The President is a visionary and understands the feelings of the people,” Momoh stated. “Over the past year, Mr. President has met twice with Ogoni leaders to create a peaceful environment for oil exploration.”
He noted that Tinubu had tasked the National Security Adviser (NSA) with ensuring that previously divided factions within Ogoniland could engage in dialogue, a crucial step toward resuming oil activities.
As part of the administration’s commitment, Tinubu recently signed into law the establishment of a Federal University of Environment in Ogoniland. The institution aims to address the region’s long-standing environmental challenges.
Ongoing Development Efforts
Momoh also pointed to various development projects under Tinubu’s administration, including initiatives overseen by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP). Many of these projects, he said, had been stalled before the current government took office.
Ogoniland, home to roughly a million people in Rivers State, has been a focal point of Nigeria’s oil-related environmental struggles. Shell halted operations there in 1993 following mass protests led by environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine.
In response to a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report, the Nigerian government pledged a $1 billion cleanup, which began in 2019. However, discussions about resuming oil exploration in Ogoniland have sparked debate, with some youth groups in the region expressing support for the move.
( Channel)
