SAN FRANCISCO, September 10, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has stated that the major reason why it embarked on the clean up of Ogoni land was to address the long years of neglect of the oil spill-ravaged area by successive governments.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, during the command screening of the action thriller movie ‘Oloibiri’.
He pointed out that ”there are really are no victors, for whichever end of the divide one falls, there remain only the wounded and trauma of bloody memories.”
Mohammed stated that government was ready more than ever before to address all the injustice meted against the people of the region, and urged them not to resort to violence as it will not resolve the Niger Delta issue.
He advised those disenchanted with the plight of the region to embrace peaceful tools of seeking redress.
‘’It is remarkable that one of the first thing we did as government was to redress the long neglect. I am so glad that I am here today, with Minister of Environment, minister of state and the Chairman, House Committee on Environment because there was long years of neglect of Ogoni land, we decided to clean up Ogoni land.
‘’Oloibiri in its form represents neglect, wounded and trauma of bloody memories. I invite all Nigerians home and in diaspora to see the futility of anger born irrationality through the tragic lives of protagonists. Indeed, gone past the nation that will dump its people.
‘‘Oloibiri invites me and you to realise that Nigeria belongs to all of us. This motion picture implies that every action ought to show consideration to the land and our fellow human beings.
“As Students of history, I refuse to buy the opinion that our hope is tomorrow. Behind the space of character, motion and nurture, OloiIbiri story is a resultant effect and governmental neglect of our past. Ultimately, the effect of the choices we make as human even in the face of injustice,’’ he said.
Mohammed explained that the present administration, in laying a strong foundation for the speedy development of the Niger Delta, has begun the implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, on the Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland, which was launched last June.
The minister also noted that the Federal Government has commissioned the Central Ogbia Regional Water Supply Project in Bayelsa, as part of efforts complete all abandoned water projects to improve livelihood.
Among those who witnessed the command screening of the film were the Minister of Environment Amina Mohammed, Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Usman Jibril and the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Paul Boro.
