As debates over the federal government’s move to resume oil operations in Ogoni land commences, Eleme women have joined forces with other Ogoni women and the foremost women’s organization in Rivers State, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Center to demand a consultative meeting with women by the federal government and intentional inclusion in all matters concerning the resumption.
Speaking through De Voice of Eleme Women Association president, Chief Martha Egbe, the women decried their continued exclusion from decision-making in Eleme pointing out that in the matter of oil extraction, Ogoni women have suffered more and continue to suffer from the harsh realities that led to the agitations that eventually led to the stoppage of oil production in their land.
“Women are saying no to being left out of decision-making in matters that affect them. Men always leave women out whenever they go for decision-making.
“Eleme women say, No! We don’t want that again.
“We need to be carried along because we do much of the farming, we lose our farmland to pollution from oil, are still suffering from illness from polluted water and we are the ones attacked in the farms.
“Only women can rightly capture their needs so we need to be in the consultative dialogue on matters concerning oil production resumption”.
Chief Martha Egbe who spoke at a meeting with women in Eleme, called on the federal government to set up a consultative dialogue with Ogoni women to capture the real issues at stake. She also called on men especially community leaders, to begin to think of inclusion for better development.
“We are therefore calling on the federal government to listen to the calls of Ogoni women for the convening of a consultative meeting with Ogoni women on this matter. Only women will understand what women truly face and need.
“Now is the time for our men leaders to work side by side with women,” she stated.
