…Call for suspension of all discussion around divestment of Ogoni oil
Mkpoikana Udoma 15 February 2015, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt – An Ogoni National Congress organised under the auspices of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP,
has express concern over the slow pace of the implementation of UNEP report.
In a ten-point communiqué issued at the end of its general meeting in Bori-Ogoni, the Congress called on the Federal Government to immediately begin the implementation of the United Nations
Environmental Programme, UNEP, report on Ogoniland, which it announced would commence January 2015.
The communiqué which was read by the President of MOSOP, Mr. Legborsi Saro Pyagbara at the end of the meeting, reviewed the situation of Ogoni nation and deliberated on key issues and urgent matters that have implications on the people including the forthcoming national elections, implementation of the UNEP reports and issues relating to divestment and the resumption of oil production in the area.
After the deliberations, according to the communique, the Congress: “Decried the present slow pace of momentum on the implementation of UNEP report.
“Called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately put into action the implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland, which it has
officially and publicly announced would commence January 2015.
The President of the apex Ogoni right group, Mr. Legborsi Pyagbara also called for the suspension of all discussion around divestment of Ogoni oil blocs.
He also condemned in strong terms, the approval for immediate resumption of oil production in Ogoniland by some Ogoni chiefs.
“We condemned the purported declaration by some Ogoni chiefs approving immediate resumption of oil production in Ogoniland without adequate consultation with the different sectors of the Ogoni
community to promote transparency, inclusiveness and the effective participation of the citizenry.
“The congress have resolved that discussions around divestment of Ogoni Oil blocks and endorsement of any company relating thereto be suspended until all the issues involved had been adequately examined, investigated, discussed and presented to the Ogoni people at the next Ogoni National Congress”.
The communiqué also stated that the Congress has approved the setting up of a committee, which membership (one representative each) would be drawn from Ogoni traditional institution, youths, women, students, Kagote, Ogoni Diaspora, oil and non-oil bearing communities and MOSOP, mandated to further consultations across Ogoniland and interface with the different groups and processes relating to the divestment and make recommendations to the National Congress of the Ogoni people.
The Congress in the communiqué also appealed to Ogoni youths to remain peaceful but vigilant and avoid all attempts to derail the peace and order in the area.