By: Felix Ikpotor
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has strongly condemned the forceful entry into Ogoni through the back door by oil- giants Royal Dutch Shell and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, for oil production activities under heavy military shield.
MOSOP is also demanding for the immediate withdrawal of Shell/NPDC from all parts of Ogoniland forthwith.
This was contained in a statement by the Publicity Secretary of the organization, Fegalo Nsuke and made available to this medium.
MOSOP further warns that the oil corporations will be held responsible for any crisis that erupts in the area.
“We are concerned that while Shell/NPDC has refused to make its contributions for the Ogoni cleanup, it continues to make irresponsible maneuvers to re-enter Ogoniland for oil production. Inadvertently, Shell/NPDC wants Ogoni to pay for the cleanup of the environment”.
The statement added that: “MOSOP wants to make it clear that oil resumption is not on the Ogoni card at the moment. Moreover, the state of the Ogoni environment cannot support further production of oil at this time”.
“We note that it is actions like this that has pitched the communities against the oil companies and led to gross human rights violations and the current crises in the entire Niger Delta”.
The body warned futher that: “We would further warn that failure to heed our demand regarding immediate withdrawal from Ogoni, we would have no choice than to take all civilized steps to ensure justice for the Ogon”i.
The MOSOP Kingdom Coordinators’ Forum wishes to alert the general public of a planned crackdown and violation of human rights in Ogoniland as Shell and the NPDC backed by Nigerian soldiers begin the laying of pipelines in Ogoni against the wishes of the people.
Meanwhile, MOSOP Kingdom Coordinators Forum representing all six Ogoni kingdoms and two special areas has joined in condemning the actions of NPDC and Shell and demand immediate withdrawal from the Ogoni territories.
The coordinators said neither Shell nor the NPDC are accepted in Ogoniland for the resumption of oil mining.
A statement signed by the Chairman, MOSOP Kingdom Coordinators Forum and Coordinator, Babbe Kingdom, Tanee Wilfred Miigbara said: “We therefore call on Nigeria’s military authorities to avert the impending bloodshed and mindless killing which is the clear intention of this affront”.
“We understand that killing the Ogoni people is not new to Shell neither does the company use its conscience in dealing with Ogoni issues, however, Shell and the NPDC’s forceful entry into Ogoni oilfields remains unacceptable to us as a people”.
The coordinators said that they are committed and willing to peacefully and non-violently confront the intruders if they fail to comply with their demand for immediate withdrawal from Ogoniland.
