UNEP Report: Ogonis Insist On Proper Monitoring

As a build up to plans by the Federal Government to commence environmental remediation in Ogoni land in line with recommendations from the United Nations Environmental Programme(UNEP), some stakeholders in Ogoni, Rivers State, have sued for better strategies to monitor the exercise.

Speaking at a special congress of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) held at the weekend in Bori, the stakeholders made-up of executives of the body and community representatives called for synergy and unity ahead the clean up programme.

Provisional President of MOSOP, Prof. Ben Naanen said unity amongst the Ogonis has become imperative in order to ensure that the exercise was fully done and implemented successfully.

The MOSOP leader who used the forum to debunk views that the group had visited the president a forthnight ago to sell out on its stance for better fortunes for the Ogoni people, stated that the Ogoni quest for better placement in the Nigerian polity cannot be compromised for the sake of few.

He explained that the calibre of persons who paid the visit cannot compromise as the Ogoni agitation was supreme above personal interests.

Echoing the views of Prof. Naanen, a traditional ruler, Mene Suani Baridam said,’’ what we are saying is that while we pledge to the unity of Nigeria, we still pursue the Ogoni Bill of Rights as a working document’’.

Mene Baridam stressed that the Federal Government needs to compensate those who have been adversely affected by the huge pollution adding, ‘’ We want them to think about it. If not now, before the actual clean up, at least, to compensate Ogonis whose properties have been destroyed ‘’.

The traditional ruler also drew attention to the health hazards from the pollution,’’ in every nine Ogoni person, one person will probably have cancer due to pollution so we need better water very urgently’’.

Besides, he said the Federal Government need to train and engage Ogoni youths in monitoring the clean up exercise.

He also said the Ogonis have not given up on the quest for state creation stating that it was one of the demands made to the Presidency, recently.

Meanwhile, Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe says the recent visit of Ogoni leaders to the Presidency was not for personal interests.

Speaking through Chairman of Gokana Local Government Area, Hon. Demua Demua at the MOSOP congress at Bori at the weekend, Senator Abe said the visit was representative of all Ogonis and aimed at championing the Ogoni cause.

Abe stated,’’ at the meeting, the president made commitment I’am very sure they are going to follow up. He talked about taking care of our environment. He talked about the issue of carrying out empowerment programmes in Ogoni. We also made appeal for state creation, which he said will be done with the National Assembly and we expect that Nigeria as a state will honour the Ogoni interest ‘’.

Against this backdrop, the Senator averred that the political class has huge task to make sure the interest of Ogoni people are protected and pursued at every time.