*Says oil companies unwanted until Ogoni Bill of Rights is recognized
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Stakeholders in Ogoniland Rivers State, have rejected any planned resumption of oil exploration in Ogoni oilfields, saying that oil companies remain persona non grata in the area, until conditions outlined in the Ogoni Bill of Rights are recognised and implemented.
The stakeholders while briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, said the Ogoni Bill of Rights remains a working document for the people of Ogoni.
Leader of the United MOSOP Forum and environmentalist, Andah Wai-Ogosu, faulted the ongoing cleanup of oil impacted sites in Ogoniland, describing the methods adopted by HYPREP as unscientific.
“The 35years time frame which they gave for restoration of Ogoni environment is not feasible. A proper cleanup, remediation and restoration take about 50 years to be done professionally.
“Oil multinationals and other oil companies remain persona non- grata in Ogoni, until they meet the conditions as embedded in the Ogoni Bill of Rights, before they can begin operation in Ogoni.”
Similarly, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP, has cautioned the Nigerian National Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, against desperate moves to resume oil production in Ogoniland.
Chairman of MOSOP Kingdom Coordinators Forum, Celestine Viula, accused NPDC of planning to resume oil production in Ogoni without proper engagement with the people, disregard for corporate decency and towing the lines of corporate irresponsibility.
Viula warned NPDC to halt all further moves to force its way into Ogoni as the people will certainly resist any moves to force oil production in the area, without the consent of the people.
“NPDC has taken its divide and conquer tactics to an unwholesome level by sponsoring mushroom groups such as the Ogoni Liberation Initiative to encouraging conflicts in Ogoni.
“The actions of NPDC are truly very embarrassing to its status as a federal government owned company and we urged them to reflect a better image and not the one it is currently bringing to the country.
“MOSOP insists on negotiations to pave the way for a peaceful resolution of all conflicts affecting the Ogoni people to halt any further deaths in Ogoni consequent upon an attempt to forcefully resume oil production in the area.”
