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OML 11: MOSOP Slams Court For Renewing Shell’s Licence In Ogoni
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has flayed a Federal High Court ruling which ordered the Federal Government to renew the licence for Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11 to the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).
It would be recalled that in the judgment delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, last week, the judge said that though the oil giant had applied for a term of 30-year period for the OML 11, he could only grant a 20-year period in accordance with the provisions of the Petroleum Act.
The Tide reports that Shell and the Ogoni people have been having a running battle since the early 90’s with the former forced to pull out of the area during the heat of the crisis in 1993; with the latter vowing never to allow the firm re-enter the area to resume oil production as a result of the loses, including many deaths the Ogoni people have incurred.
Reacting to the judgment in a statement, MOSOP President, Legborsi Saro Pyagbara, expressed concerns that despite the non-violent posture of the people to draw attention to its plight, Ogoni has continued to suffer abuses and injustices since 1957 when oil was discovered in the area.
Pyagbara said the judgment came at a time when Ogoni people have said that all the parties must be involved in discussing issues relating to the licence for the oil mining lease, describing the development as worrisome.
The statement reads, “MOSOP receives the report of the Nigerian Court, ordering the Federal Government of Nigeria to renew the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11 Operatorship Licence for 20 years to the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria with great concern.
“We have over the years consistently and non-violently drawn the attention of all institutions, successive governments and fellow citizens of the Nigerian State as well as the international community to the persistent injustice and plight of the Ogoni people as host to the oil multinationals.
“These abuses and injustices have continued unabated for over 60 years from 1957, when oil was discovered in Ogoni land. Our peaceful and defenseless people have been killed in thousands, communities sacked, means of subsistence destroyed through reckless oil mining activities, polluting our environment, including farmlands, aquatic life and forest resources, without redress by the government or change of attitude by the oil companies, particularly SPDC.
“The community, as a critical stakeholder, must be carried along with the Federal Government and the oil company in discussion relating to anything about licensing of any oil company to operate in Ogoni land, particularly, in discussing issues of externalities associated with oil extraction and even the question of benefits’ sharing.
“We have thought and had expected that having committed our lives, resources and everything about us into this non-violent struggle, and remaining law-abiding in the face of obvious oppression, suppression and provocation by, most times, combined forces of the oil giants and the government, that this injustice will cease and our people begin to have a new lease of life.
“It is, therefore, an issue of worry and deep concern that the cries, woes and anguish of the people of Ogoni seem not to be seen and understood, in a country they belong and have made huge sacrifices to keep her together and even growing.
“While we call on our people not to be disillusioned but to remain calm, we appeal to the Nigerian Government to act responsibly, and do everything to protect the fundamental rights of the Ogoni people and all citizens of the country.
“We continue to demand justice for our people, and will never renege or compromise the people’s position on where they stand, particularly as it relates to the issue of oil resumption in Ogoni land.
“The issue of benefits’ sharing, community participation and environmental management plan of the Ogoni environment must be put in place, and the Ogoni oil field continued to be treated as a green field as far as the issue of oil operation is concerned.
“We would engage the key actors, the Nigerian Government and the oil multinationals on this latest decision of the court, and ensure the ideals of our struggle stand, and of course, remain irrevocable,” the MOSOP president added.
Dennis Naku
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
