As the conversations continue between the Ogoni Dialogue Committee (ODC) and the Federal Government towards full resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland, leader of the Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI), Dr Fabeke Douglas of the Ogoni has urged the the Committee to prioritise the reported $300 million compensation claim for the Ogoni people during its engagement with the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in Abuja.
Douglas made the appeal in an urgent reminder to the committee ahead of its meeting, insisting that the compensation issue should be the first item on the agenda of discussions.
He said the $300 million compensation figure was explicitly stated in a document belonging to the ODC, adding that the committee should ensure the matter receives attention during its engagement with the relevant authorities.
According to him, the compensation issue is fundamental to meaningful dialogue on Ogoni concerns and should not be relegated to the background during negotiations.
Douglas maintained that the claim required clear attention and called on the NNPCL to clarify its position on the compensation, particularly regarding when the Ogoni people could expect payment.
He further stated that he was prepared to provide what he described as factual and legal evidence should the NNPCL dispute responsibility for the compensation.
Fabeke said his appeal was made in the interest of justice and accountability, urging the ODC to seek a clear response from the national oil company on the status of the claim.
He called on the committee to ensure that the compensation question forms a central part of its discussions with the Federal Government and the NNPCL.
The $300 million figure and the legal basis for the claim were presented by Douglas in his statement. The NNPCL’s position on the claim and any proposed payment timeline were not included in the statement.
Recall that the money has been a subject of controversy between interest groups in Ogoniland and politicians in Rivers State wherein, a top government functionary was accused of collecting the sum on behalf of the Ogoni people and later diverting same for personal use.
However, despite several demands and protest by groups in Ogoni, neither the NNPCL nor the accused has claimed responsibility or giving an account on how the sum was expended.
