Group Demands Clarification From Abiodun on Oil Drilling In Tongeji Island And Ogun Waterside
A group known as Concerned Ogun West Professionals and Technocrats (COWEPT), has demanded clarifications from Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State on the approval for oil drilling given by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the State. COWEPT noted that there are conflicting reports emanating from official and semi-official channels concerning the said approval. Tinubu had approved commercial oil drilling at Tongeji Island in Ipokia Local Government (Ogun West), alongside the take-off of the Olokola Deep Seaport/Blue Marine Economic Zone in Ogun Waterside (Ogun East).
In a petition sent to the governor , sighed by the President of the group, Kayode Oni and made available to nigerianecho.com, COWEPT said there has been appears to be a surreptitious move to exclude Tongeji Island .
“This original report, cited during your reception of the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, was seen as a masterstroke of balanced development between the East and West senatorial districts. However, the public space has since been flooded with “edited” versions of this milestone achievement. These revised stories systematically swap Tongeji Island (Ipokia) for Eba (Ogun Waterside) as the sole site for oil drilling, creating a narrative of “double standards” and regional exclusion”, Oni stated.
The group said there are conflicting narratives
“The original story explicitly quoted Your Excellency stating that oil drilling would commence at Tongeji Island to prevent infiltration from the Benin Republic. The “edited” versions now claim the drilling is only at Ogun Waterside. This flip-flopping suggests either a lack of administrative coordination or a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.”
“The speed with which the Tongeji Island narrative is being scrubbed or altered in favor of Ogun Waterside gives the impression that the State Government has something to hide. It fuels suspicions of “geographical favoritism” that could threaten the peace and unity of the state. If the commercial oil potential of Tongeji is being downplayed or “re-routed” in media reports, it weakens the economic justification for the massive security investment required to protect that border community as represented by the presence of the Naval personnel in the State on the matter.”
The full text of the petition is below:
OPEN PETITION FOR IMMEDIATE CLARIFICATION AND DEMAND FOR TRANSPARENCY REGARDING APPROVED OIL DRILLING LOCATIONS IN OGUN STATE
TO:
His Excellency,
Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun, CON, MFR,
Executive Governor , Ogun State,
Office of the Governor, Oke-Mosan,
Abeokuta.
Your Excellency,
URGENT CALL TO END PUBLIC DECEPTION AND CONFLICTING NARRATIVES REGARDING OIL DRILLING AT TONGEJI ISLAND AND OGUN WATERSIDE
We write to you today with a sense of patriotic duty and profound concern regarding the conflicting reports emanating from official and semi-official channels concerning the approved locations for commercial oil drilling in Ogun State.
As Concerned citizens and stakeholders, we initially received with great enthusiasm the news that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved commercial oil drilling at Tongeji Island in Ipokia Local Government (Ogun West), alongside the take-off of the Olokola Deep Seaport/Blue Marine Economic Zone in Ogun Waterside (Ogun East).
This original report, cited during your reception of the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, was seen as a masterstroke of balanced development between the East and West senatorial districts.
However, the public space has since been flooded with “edited” versions of this milestone achievement.
These revised stories systematically swap Tongeji Island (Ipokia) for Eba (Ogun Waterside) as the sole site for oil drilling, creating a narrative of “double standards” and regional exclusion.
THE CORE OF OUR CONCERN:
- Conflicting Official Narratives:
The original story explicitly quoted Your Excellency stating that oil drilling would commence at Tongeji Island to prevent infiltration from the Benin Republic.
The “edited” versions now claim the drilling is only at Ogun Waterside.
This flip-flopping suggests either a lack of administrative coordination or a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
- Perception of Secrecy :
The speed with which the Tongeji Island narrative is being scrubbed or altered in favor of Ogun Waterside gives the impression that the State Government has something to hide.
It fuels suspicions of “geographical favoritism” that could threaten the peace and unity of the state.
- Security and Territorial Integrity: Your Excellency rightly noted that naval presence at Tongeji Island is critical for national security.
If the commercial oil potential of Tongeji is being downplayed or “re-routed” in media reports, it weakens the economic justification for the massive security investment required to protect that border community as represented by the presence of the Naval personnel in the State on the matter.
OUR PRAYERS:
We, the concerned citizens and stakeholders of the Concerned Ogun West Professionals and Technocrats (COWEPT) and the wider Ogun State community, hereby urge the State Government to:
- Make a Categorical Statement:
Issue an official, signed Gazette or White Paper clarifying exactly which locations have received Presidential approval for oil drilling. Is it Tongeji Island (Ipokia), Eba (Ogun Waterside), or both?. - Stop the Social Media “Double Standards”:
We demand an end to the peddling of edited stories by government proxies. A project of this magnitude, which brings Ogun State into the league of oil-producing states, must not be shrouded in “social media hide-and-seek.” - Uphold Regional Equity:
Ensure that the developmental benefits of the “Blue Marine Economic Zone” and the “Tongeji Oil Prospect” are distributed fairly across the coastal corridors of both Ogun East and Ogun West, as originally communicated.
Your Excellency, the people of Ogun State deserve the truth. Information is the bedrock of trust between the governor and the governed.
We expect a clear, unambiguous clarification to douse the growing tension and confusion caused by these conflicting reports.
Ogun State belongs to us all. Let the State rise together to embrace these presidential directives without any mischievous attempts to overshadow the Presidential directives with deliberate misinformation.
Yours Faithfully,
For: Concerned Ogun West Professionals and Technocrats.
(Signed)
Mr. K.A. Oni
President
08023459659
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