*MOSOP kicks
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Limited, SPDC, has affirmed its commitment tot the implementation of the UNEP report in Ogoniland.
This is as the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP, has accused SPDC of frustrating the effective implementation of the UNEP report on Ogoni as a ploy to destroy the preservation of its pollution records in Ogoni.
Factional President of MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke, also accused the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, of conniving with SPDC in the process to thwart the proper implementation of the UNEP report on Ogoni.
Nsuke alleged that Shell first attempted to manipulate the Ogoni cleanup process when it mounted pressure on UNEP to blame the Ogoni people for the pollution in Ogoniland.
He claimed that Shell has strongly influenced the activities of HYPREP, saying that the failure of HYPREP to establish the Center of Excellence as recommended by the UNEP was a plot to erase the records of massive pollution of Shell in Ogoni.
“The Centre of Excellence was not only to serve as a capacity building centre, but is meant to keep the records of Shell’s environmental pollution in Ogoni. By failing to build the Center of Excellence and keep records of the environment today, HYPREP is conniving with Shell to help the company conceal its bad records in Ogoni.
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“The faulty implementation of the UNEP report on Ogoni was deliberately designed by HYPREP, to distort the dirty and irresponsible business practices of Shell in Ogoni.
“Shell is taking advantage of its sponsorship and funding of HYPREP. We are worried that Shell’s involvement with HYPREP, especially as the company is represented on the management of HYPREP, makes the implementation agency susceptible to manipulation.”
But in a swift reaction, SPDC says it remains committed to Ogoni clean-up as well as efforts by the Federal Government to progress the UNEP Report’s implementation, which is coordinated by HYPREP.
Media Relations Manager, Shell Nigeria, Mr Bamidele Odugbesan, announced that SPDC JV was up-to-date with in its contribution to the $1billion cleanup fund recommended by UNEP.
Odugbesan also said SPDC was implementing several initiatives like the Shell LiveWIRE (an entrepreneurship training programme) to dissuade and minimised activities of oil thieves in Ogoniland and the Niger Delta region.
According to him, “SPDC JV is committed to the implementation of the UNEP Report and welcomes efforts by the Federal Government to progress its implementation.
“We therefore have supported the clean-up process led by HYPREP and the JV is up to date in its contribution to the $1billion cleanup fund.
“We have also continued to implement several initiatives to prevent and minimise the impact of crude oil theft and illegal refining in Ogoniland and other parts of the Niger Delta including community-based pipeline surveillance; awareness campaigns; and the promotion of alternative livelihood programmes, such as Shell’s youth entrepreneurship programme, Shell LiveWIRE.”
