The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has said the Ogoni people completely reject plans by Nigerian oil industry actors and personal interest driven initiatives to force oil resumption in Ogoni under any guise against the wishes of the people.
Speaking in Port Harcourt during the 15th anniversary of the National Network Newspaper on Friday, October 18, 2019, President of MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke said it was unfortunate, shameful and a crass display of insensitivity to contemplate an Ogoni reentry without considering the painful experiences of the Ogoni people and the need for a negotiated settlement noting that the Ogoni people completely reject every attempts to force oil production in Ogoniland at this time.
“We are indeed saddened that as we prepare for the 24th memorial of the murder of our people on November 10, 1995 including renowned environmentalist and playwright, Ken Saro-Wiwa, the compromises, kickbacks and backdoor moves for oil resumption had been intensified by greedy and selfish oil industry players”
The MOSOP leader said the Ogoni people will urge the relevant authorities to accept a negotiated settlement rather than the use of brute force which will lead to the killing of more Ogonis.
He said MOSOP and the Ogoni people were dismayed at the insensitivity of oil industry players whose divide and conquer tactics continue to threaten the peace and security of our people.
The MOSOP president said he was making it unequivocally clear that the organization will not under any circumstance accept the forceful resumption of oil production in Ogoni.
Nsuke warned that reckless oil exploitation and corporate irresponsibility by the Nigerian oil industry has led to the complete devastation of Ogoniland and the killing of over 4,000 innocent Ogonis, the reason why Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell withdrew from Ogoniland in 1993.
He noted that attempting to force oil resumption in Ogoni without a proper negotiation will only amount to a provocation and will arouse public protests in resistance. This will lead to the killing of more Ogonis as the government will as usual send in soldiers who only will shoot and kill the protestors
The MOSOP president therefore called for an end to the deliberate and criminal interest in Ogoni oilfields as such moves seriously endanger the peace, security and lives of the Ogoni people.
