OIL RESUMPTION AGREEMENT MUST BENEFIT OGONIS, BE ENFORCEABLE — KAGOTE

KAGOTE, the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Ogoni people, has called for any agreement on resuming oil exploration in Ogoniland to be transparent, enforceable and beneficial to future generations.

Its president, Chief Lesi Maol, made the call during Tuesday’s remembrance of the Ogoni Nine in Port Harcourt.

He said negotiations with the Federal Government should produce clear commitments and measurable benefits rather than promises communities could struggle to enforce.

According to Maol, the agreement should be judged by its fairness and content, not how quickly it is signed or the prominence of those involved.

“Let us negotiate an agreement that will outlive its signatories, survive changes in leadership and remain beneficial to Ogoniland,” he said.

While acknowledging progress in the dialogue, Maol urged the government to deliver visible and verifiable confidence-building measures before a final agreement is concluded.

He proposed inclusive congresses across Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme to allow communities, traditional leaders, women, youths and professionals to help determine negotiation priorities.

A representative negotiating team, supported by independent legal, environmental, technical and financial experts, should then work from that community mandate, he said.

KAGOTE also wants prospective operators’ field development plans made available for independent assessment before operations begin, subject to legitimate confidentiality requirements.

Maol said communities should understand the environmental safeguards, emergency response arrangements, restoration obligations and development commitments attached to any project.

He warned that renewed oil production must not undermine ongoing cleanup efforts or expose Ogoniland to further ecological damage.

The organisation called for closer coordination between regulators, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, communities and operators.

Maol also proposed an Ogoni Development Partnership Forum to coordinate development priorities and assess progress.

“We believe that a little more patience today can prevent many years of disagreement tomorrow,” he said.