The Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI) has called on President Bola Tinubu to investigate the alleged diversion of a $300 million compensation fund intended for the Ogoni people. The funds were reportedly paid by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) under former Group Managing Director Mele Kyari, as compensation for the Ogoni communities affected by Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11 operations.
Dr. Douglas Fabeke, President of OLI, claims that the compensation was misappropriated by the administration of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, in collaboration with individuals purporting to represent Ogoni interests. He alleges that the funds were diverted, depriving the Ogoni people of rightful compensation for environmental damages.
The OLI has demanded a detailed public report identifying the communities engaged by the fund and a forensic audit to ascertain the utilization of the compensation. Dr. Fabeke emphasized that the Ogoni people have suffered long-standing environmental degradation and injustice, and this alleged mismanagement exacerbates their plight.
In addition to the compensation issue, the OLI has raised concerns about the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), which was established to address the environmental damage in Ogoniland. The group alleges that HYPREP has mismanaged the $1 billion allocated for the cleanup, with reports of poorly executed projects and lack of tangible progress. They claim that the cleanup efforts do not align with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and that some of the locations where cleanup activities were reported do not exist in Ogoni land.
The OLI has urged President Tinubu to take decisive action by setting up an independent investigation into the alleged diversion of the compensation funds and the mismanagement of the cleanup project. They are calling for accountability and transparency to ensure that the Ogoni people receive the justice and environmental restoration they deserve.
The Senate has also shown concern over the Ogoni cleanup project. The Senate Public Accounts Committee has threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, for failing to appear before the committee to account for the utilization of the funds allocated for the cleanup. The committee has expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and accountability in the project.
The OLI’s call for investigation into the alleged diversion of the compensation fund and the mismanagement of the cleanup project highlights the ongoing struggles of the Ogoni people in seeking justice and environmental restoration. The group remains committed to advocating for the rights and welfare of the Ogoni communities.
