By Jose Oby 
A historic peace agreement has been signed in the Bodo community of Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State, signaling the long-awaited return of oil production in Ogoniland after years of conflict and instability.
The accord, facilitated by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), aims to end prolonged intra-community violence in Bodo—one of the most critical host communities along the eastern corridor of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP). If fully implemented, the peace deal is expected to restore calm and enable the recommencement of oil production, with a projected output of up to 200,000 barrels per day.
For years, Bodo had been plagued by violent clashes driven by internal power struggles, resulting in loss of lives, infrastructure sabotage, and the exclusion of local stakeholders from key contracts and social benefits related to oil infrastructure protection.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Eddie Julius, Special Adviser to the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil) on Host Communities, expressed optimism about the transformative impact of the agreement.
“Today marks a new dawn for Bodo, Ogoniland, and Nigeria,” said Julius. “This peace deal will directly translate into renewed oil production, community development, and peaceful coexistence. In the coming months, the results will be visible.”
He added, “This agreement brings development—roads, water, healthcare, and empowerment. It is a collective victory for the entire community.”
The peace accord was witnessed by officials from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), and PINL. Under the new framework, pipeline surveillance responsibilities will be handed back to indigenous youths, promoting local involvement and ownership in maintaining peace and protecting vital infrastructure.