The Ogoni Elders Forum known as GBO Kabaari Ogoni has expressed dissatisfaction over the way and manner Government is handling the UNEP report implementation.
The chairman of the forum, Sen. Binnett Birabii dropped the hint in a press conference in Port Harcourt.
He stated in dismay that two years after the Federal Government flaged off the process,nothing has been done with regards to the six emergency and fundamental measures recommended by UNEP prior to the cleaning up the existing pollution and restoring the environment.
He also regretted that despite the laudable assurances given to the people of rne area,the processes for the implementation of the recommendations of the UNEP Report run completely counter to the promises of the Federal Government and more importantly the very recommendations of the Report .
He further condemned the extreme politicization of the contract awards which he said has resulted in the exclusion of competent indigenous contractors from Ogoni and other parts of the Niger Delta.
Describing the actions as insensitive and unacceptable to the people of Ogoni, he said the award process has sparked off a considerable wave of discontent through out Ogoniland capable of derailing the project.
On his part, the former president of MOSSOP, Barr.Leedum Mittee has blamed the Federal Government for establishing a gap between the process and the people’s expectations and therefore should be held responsible for any crisis that may ensue in the area.
He stressed the need to involve the people of the area in the process pointing out that such gesture is the only way to avoid discontent and decried the drafting of military personnel to supervise security during the clean-up of polluted sites in Ogoni.
He advised the Federal Government to desist from actions capable of causing crisis by reviewing its actions and ensuring that the clean -up exercise is done rightly and with the people at the grassroots being part of the process.
The leaders of Gbo Kabaari Ogoni are Sen. (Dr.) Benneth Birabi, Chairman, Leedum Mitee, Baritor L. Kpagih, Chief Monday Abueh and John Nalley. Others include Rev. Paul Igbara and Engr. Power Maeba
