A youth group under the aegis of the Ogoni Oil and Gas Host Communities Youths Association (OOGHCYA) has expressed its utmost disappointment over the recent purported award of the Yorla South Oil Field within OML 11 to an oil firm, Dutchford Exploration and Production Company Limited.
The group issued this declaration on Tuesday, August 3, 2026 via a press statement signed by its President, Teddy Gianen, in which it unequivocally discountenanced the move.
The group expressed worry that the Federal Government would go ahead to award license without officially communicating the Ogoni people on the next phase of activities as agreed during the engagement between the Ogoni Dialogue Committee (ODC) and relevant authorities in Abuja long after the submission of the report couple of months ago.
“The silence surrounding this development is creating uncertainty among host communities whose lands have borne the burden of oil exploration for decades,” it lamented.
The statement reaffirmed the group’s legitimacy as the authentic voice representing the interests of Ogoni oil and gas host communities, and maintained that transparency, consultation and partnership must remain the foundation of any renewed oil and gas operation within the ancestral land of Ogoni.
It reminded stakeholders in the Oil and Gas sector the Petroleum Industry Act places significant emphasis on host community participation and sustainable development, and that the people of Ogoni deserve to know the outcome of the discussions held in Abuja, the responsibilities of the newly licensed company, the project timeline, and how host communities will participate.
“We also call on the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, NNPC Limited, Dutchford Exploration and Production Company Limited, and all relevant government agencies to provide a clear roadmap for the development of the Yorla South Oil Field,” it added.
The youths further request in the statement clarification on the status of other oil fields and petroleum assets within Ogoni, including the identities of companies that have been granted exploration or production right and the benefits expected to accrue to the host communities.
They reiterated that the era when decisions affecting their communities were made without their knowledge or participation must come to an end, noting that the Ogoni people deserve openness, accountability and genuine partnership.
Consequently, the group urged the Federal Government and all stakeholders to engage with the Ogoni people without further delay and ensure that every step taken towards the resumption of oil activities reflects justice, equity and the collective interest of host communities.
It highlighted what it described as its expectations from the government to include a public disclosure of the status of the Yorla South oil project; the release of the comprehensive report of agreement reached in public domain by the Ogoni Dialogue Committee; the establishment of a Host Communities Development Trusts Fund as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Bill.
Others include employment quota for qualified Ogoni youths; commitment to environmental protection and HYPREP’s success; continuous consultation with host committee by operating companies; and disclosure to the people of Ogoni government’s broader plans for the remaining oil assets within the OML 11 regarding their effects on host communities.
“Our association is not opposed to development. We are not opposed to responsible oil and gas operations,”
the statement declared.