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The president of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Comrade Legborsi Saro- Pyagbara, has raised alarm over “a grand plan by Shell Development Petroleum Company (SPDC) and Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) to clandestinely resume oil operations in Ogoni land.”
The MOSOP President made this known during a press briefing at the MOSOP office in Port Harcourt, adding that there had been intense and deliberate attempts by the oil industry to return to the Ogoni oilfields through the back door without any broad-based discussion with Ogoni people, noting that this might ignite another round of conflict and violence in the area.
Pyagbara said that Ogoni had lost over 2,000 souls, allegedly killed by invading soldiers; over 14 communities were completely razed down, while some fled to exile, in Benin Republic.
He explained that Shell and NPDC are keen on using their divide and rule tactics to destabilize the current peace in Ogoni communities, expressing disappointment because they had used so many efforts to re-enter Ogoni land for oil production but to no avail, because the re-entry plan lacks transparency, due process and an attempt to deal with local actors in isolation. “We will deploy all non-violent methodology to let the whole world know,” he said.
Pyagbara maintained that it is sad to note that the same Federal Government that commissioned UNEP to carry out an assessment of Ogoni due to environmental degradation and pollution is trying to force their way through the back door to commence oil operation in Ogoni land, without looking into the problems of the people.
On the way forward, he said that Shell and NPDC should cease engagement focused on resuming oil production in Ogoni within seven days. The MOSOP president further explained that if there is any credible interest in resuming production, the FG and the prospective oil companies should initiate a broad-based discussion among Ogoni communities.
He said the UNEP Report stated that there should be social and health dimension, as well as public construction process as an entry-point, noting that full implementation of the UNEP Report is a pre-condition before oil exploration can start, while advocating for free, prior and informed consent of the people within the frame work.
Pyagbara frowned at those dividing Ogoni communities along oil bearing and non-oil bearing since every community is involved in the Ogoni struggle, requesting that an all-inclusive agreement will usher’ in peace than bloodshed. Pyagbara told newsmen that due to the discovery that Ogoni has one of highest gas deposit, they are coming for gas exploration. On the state of the clean-up, he said there is only the setting up of institution and sensitization by HYPREP, and noting more on ground.
