A new twist has been introduced into the crisis in Ogoni as a previously unknown group, Ogoni Oilfield Landlords Association, given some conditions that must be met by the Federal Government and the Shell Petroleum Development Company before oil production could be resumed.
The group, which claimed to be the real owners of the land on which oil wells in Ogoni are situated, asked SPDC and the Presidential Committee on Ogoni reconciliation to begin earnest negotiation with it or forget about re-entry into the area.
The Chairman of the group, Chief Mike Lube Nwidobie, told our correspondent on Sunday, that they held the key to the restoration of peace in Ogoni.
Nwidobie stated that although the group was aware of the efforts being made by the Matthew Kukah-led committee and the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People to resolve the crisis in the area, the non-inclusion of its members in the negotiations was a serious breach that could stall the efforts.
He said, �There shall be no resumption of oil activities on our land except we are part of the bargain.
�We want to state categorically that neither Shell nor any company will commence prospecting activities in Ogoni without the consent of the oilfield landlords. This is very important and in the interest of peace and fair play.�
Nwidobie stated that even at the conclusion of negotiations with the body, it would still press for the involvement of more oil companies in Ogoni to ensure competition and more opportunities for the natives.
He suggested that in the alternative, the oilfields in Ogoni should be given to the natives to operate and manage in the interest of the people.
Nwidobie said under no condition would the natives hand over the oilfield in the area to a single oil firm because of their sad experience with Shell in the past.
Turning to the political field, Nwidobie regretted that the Ogoni, who spearheaded the struggle for democracy, have nothing to benefit from the present administration.
He said that the only way to compensate the natives was for the other zones in the state to pick an Ogoni as the next governor of Rivers State.