MOSOP Tasks NDDC, NEMA On Ogoni Refugees’ Resettlement

The Movement for The Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has charged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other agencies to intervene in the resettlement of Ogoni refugees from Benin Republic.
The embattled incumbent President of the Movement, Mr Legbosi Pyagbara, who said this at a press briefing to mark the 2019 Ogoni Day celebration, regretted that while the refugees were forcefully removed from their camps in Benin Republic, there was no resettlement plan for them in Nigeria.
“We urge Mr President to direct NDDC, NEMA and other relevant agencies to wade into the resettlement of these Ogoni refugees”, he said.
Mr Pyagbara also said the Ogonis were ready to dialogue with the Federal Government with a view to addressing the issue of local autonomy for them within the Nigeria federation.
According to him, the proposed dialogue will also address a new economic structure that ensures the use of a fair proportion of Ogoni economic resources for Ogoni development and the employment of a proper environmental management plan for Ogoni.
“The time for government to show it can engage with peaceful advocacy is now, particularly with the raging temptation to violent agitations cutting across the country.
“A sincere government commitment to engagement with Ogoni can demonstrate it is possible to address injustice and engender a sense of national healing”.
Meanwhile, the Birabi Memorial Grammar School (BMGS) field, venue of the Ogoni Day celebration was virtually empty of the usual crowd last Friday, the date of the celebration.