Business
‘MOSOP Not Opposed To Oil Firms In Ogoniland’
The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni people (MOSOP) says, it is not opposed to the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.
The Movement’s President, Mr. Legborsi Piagbara who disclosed this at a meeting of the Ogonis in Bori at the weekend also pledged to inaugurate a steering committee to liaise with the management of Belema Oil Company on its possible entry into the area for oil exploration.
He also said that the Ogonis are ready to welcome more oil companies into the area as long as the right things would be done.
The MOSOP President who claimed that he is yet to see the content of the agreement which Belema Oil had with oil bearing communities in Ogoniland, said that resumption of oil exploration in the area must be endorsed by the generality of Ogoni people not few people acting under the aegis of oil bearing communities.
He said that MOSOP’s position is that the interest of Ogoni nation must supercede the interest of individual communities as the whole of Ogoni is suffering the effect of pollution and degradation of the environment.
Piagbara said that the steering committee would ask the management of Belema Oil Company to document its promises which range from the construction of a refinery and a platform as well as the massive empowerment of Ogoni youths.
He urged the people to see themselves as one people, stressing that the issue of oil bearing and non-oil bearing communities must not come up as the UNEP Report did not specify it stressing that the committee after meeting with the company would report back to the house for further action.
A cross section of the people who spoke at the meeting which took place at the MOSOP freedom centre in Bori urged the Ogonis to open their doors for more oil companies and welcomed the idea of a steering committee to meet with Belema Oil Company over the issue.

Minister of Sport, Hon. Tammy Danagogo (left) with president Market Place Apostles and organiser IC BEC 2014, Pastor Uche Onoche (right) during the 4th International Christian Business exhibition and Conference, IC-BEC 2014 at Atrium along Stadium Raod Port Harcourt recently. Photo: Egberi A. Sampson