Ogoni Clean-Up Fund Not For Sharing – MOSOP

The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has said that the fund earmarked for the implementation of the Ogoni-clean up exercise as recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is not for sharing among individuals as envisaged within some quarters.
President of MOSOP, Legborsi Pyagbara, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt at the weekend.
Pyagbara explained that the $10m released for the clean up exercise so far was meant to serve the intended objective and cautioned against speculations over alleged misappropriation of the fund.
Contrary to the views that the fund  for the cleanup has been embezzled by some individuals,he said it would be impossible to emblezzle the fund because the account of the Ogoni Trust Fund operated on tripartite signatory; the Federal Government, International Oil Companies (IOCs) and Ogoni.
He also called on the people to disabuse their minds from the idea of sharing the funds meant for the Ogoni clean up exercise and on all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the exercise.
According to the MOSOP  president, there was a clear cut difference between the Bodo clean up process  and Ogoni general environmental clean up program.
He pointed out that, while the Ogoni general clean up was an independent assessment of  UNEP bothering on the restoration and remediation of the despoiled Ogoni environment, the Bodo clean up process came out of an instituted litigation and court process in London.
He further explained that the Bodo clean up process comprised of three critical components such as clean up, compensation and social investment.
Pyagbara called for the speedy implementation of the UNEP report on the Ogoni clean up in line with international best practices to alleviate the plight of the people.

Taneh Beemene