Sen. Mpigi Advocates Resumption Of Oil Exploration In Ogoni

Senator Barry Mpigi (PDP, Rivers), says he supports the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.

Mpigi stated this at the Ogoni stakeholders meeting at the weekend in Tai local government area of Rivers state. He said it was high time Ogoni used the resources beneath their soil to create wealth for themselves.

His words: “Personally l support the idea of resuming oil exploration in Ogoniland. We can’t have wealth and our people remain in hunger, poverty and frustration. We must negotiate on how to use our God given resources to put food on the tables and use the opportunity for sustainable growth and development of our people.

“l believe this would have been the provision of Ken Saro-Wiwa and our forefathers should they still be alive and we must not afford to make a second mistake “.

The lawmaker equally said the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoni land would create job opportunity for the young people and reduced the rate of crime in the area.

“Yes, if truth be told, what happens when the main source of people’s livelihood has been devastated, their farmland polluted and ecosystem destroyed. I am not, in any way, trying to justify the criminal tendency of our youth. It is one way of practically reducing poverty and hunger on Ogoni. It will certainly ensure that when oil exploration resumes, it will become sustainable, people-oriented business “.