…Donate 40 hectares
The Federal Government is set to begin work on the proposed industrial park, which is to be sited in Ogoni.
This followed Ogoni Chiefs’ handover of 40 hectares of land to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for the development of the park on Thursday.
The industrial park comes as part of FG’s confidence building measure in the run-up to the projected resumption of oil exploration activities in the area.
The measures include establishing the Federal University of Environment and Technology, the Ogoni clean-up, and others.
Ogoni leaders, however, say these federal interventions are capable of creating as much as 250,000 jobs for their “qualified but unemployed” youths by 2027.
Fegalo Nsuke, factional President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), said early in the year that Ogoni people are in need of development.
He noted that the federal projects, which bear direct relations to the oil and gas industry, can create up to 500,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2031.
Chiefs of Nyorkuru and Beeri Communities on Thursday officially handed over 40 hectares of land for the proposed Ogoni Industrial Park project.
Don Baridam, Professor and Chairman of the Confidence Building Projects Monitoring Sub-Committee of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee (ODC), and other members witnessed the Nyorkuru/Beeri chiefs hand over land to Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary of the NCDMB.
Dumnamene Dekor, member of the House of Representatives representing Khana/Gokana federal constituency, said the project would provide opportunities to improve local economy within the area.
The lawmaker assured that all necessary support would be given to contractors and the Federal Government for the project’s timely completion.
Dekor said, “This one is one of those confidence-building measures. One of the things the president said, do it for them. They have suffered. It’s not about us going to take oil. They will get to that point.”
He also dismissed insinuations that the land donated for the industrial park is disputed property.
Monday Bakor, who styles himself ‘Concerned Rivers Man’ on Facebook, said, “At this point, all I can say is that the Ogoni people owe Bola Ahmed Tinubu their bloc vote—I don’t care whose ox is gored.
“Just a few months ago, the President established a Federal University of Environment, creating employment opportunities for many jobless youths in Ogoni and across Rivers State.
“From my personal research on industrial parks, I am convinced this is a massive project—one that can transform Ogoniland into a thriving business hub for the South-South and South-East regions of the country,” he said.
Nabe Lekue Bestman, a Human Rights Activist, however, said, “The industrial park could drive industrialization and growth—if the government ensures transparency, strong institutions, and public accountability.
“Without this, elite capture remains a serious threat, as powerful actors may divert benefits for personal gain.
“The industrial park presents both opportunity and risk. Its success depends on good governance, inclusiveness, and commitment to environmental and social justice. Development must be people-centered, or it will only deepen the marginalization of the Ogoni people,” he said.
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