We’re not against resumption of oil production in Ogoniland — MOSOP
Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
The President of Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Prince Biira has stated that the Ogonis’ are not against the resumption of oil exploration and production in Ogoniland,but the template as contained in the Ogoni Bill of Rights must be complied with.
Biira stated this Friday in an exclusive interview with Nigerian NewsDirect in Port Harcourt. According to him, the condition to resuming oil production in Ogoniland is clearly stated in the Ogoni Bill of Rights and for anybody or company that is desirous to operating the OML 11 located in the heart of Ogoniland,this condition is inevitable.
Asked whether MOSOP has not accepted NDPC,a subsidiary of NNPC that was recently licensed to take over from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), the MOSOP President said NDPC lacks the technical- know- how or capacity to operate OML 11.
He described NPDC as an asset management company and not an oil company that can operate the said oil bloc.
On their visit to Gov Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Biira said the discussion was centered on the oil production resumption in Ogoniland.
He said the Governor agreed with them on their position.
“The Governor invited Ogoni leaders, including my humble self to meet with him on the possible resumption of oil production in Ogoniland. So we told the Governor that the Ogonis or MOSOP are not against the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland,but our position is that whoever that is desirous of operating OML 11,which is in Ogoniland must conform with the provisions contained in Ogoni Bill of Rights. The company must consult widely with all major stakeholders in Ogoni ethnic nationality, comprising the traditional rulers,KAGOTE,Women and Youths. All these groups are driven by MOSOP,” Biira said.
Commenting the performance of the Hydrocarbon Remediation Project (HYPREP) and the Ogoni cleanup, the MOSOP President said Ogoni People are not satisfied with the cleanup so far. But are still believing that HYPREP will get it right. He described the inability of HYPREP to provide potable water to the Ogoni People,as total failure on their part,years after the commencement of the cleanup, as outlined by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report.
The MOSOP President said hope is not yet lost,as new HYPREP board has been put in place to drive the process. He warned that Ogoni People must be careful and patient with HYPREP in the cleanup, as the exercise was at the request of the people and lives were equally lost in the struggle to safeguard the Ogoni environment by the fallen heroes.
