The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has described as successful the recent meeting of Ogoni people with President Goodluck Jonathan seeking implementation of the UNEP Report.
MOSOP Provisional Council Chairman, Prof Ben Naanen stated this in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State during a meeting that witnessed the adoption of the presentation to Jonathan as a working document for the Ogoni people.
The Ogonis had on September 3 led by King Godwin Gininwa, President, Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers and Senator Magnus Abe, representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District met with President Jonathan to present demands of the people as well as its support for the unity of Nigeria.
Naanen dismissed claims that the Ogoni delegation that met Jonathan did not act in the best interest of the people.
According to him, “our meeting with Jonathan was very successful, it is our prayer that the federal government speed-up implementation of the document presented” because as he puts it “if implemented it would alleviate the sufferings of the Ogoni people”.
Naanen stated that demands presented to Jonathan include implementation of the UNEP Report, compensation for damages in the area and the creation of Bori State.
Others, he said were oil exploration in the area, youth empowerment, infrastructural and social development, as well as provision of potable drinking water.
The MOSOP leader however called on Ogonis to avoid making frivolous statements that could hinder progress in the area.
On his part, Sen. Magnus Abe, represented by the Chairman, Gokana local government Council, Mr. Ledee Demua said implementation of the Ogoni Bill of Right was important for the survival of the people.
Abe said surface and ground water contamination at levels over 900 times above World Health Organisation prescribed safety limit meant that every Ogoni person was a potential cancer patient.
“This is a potential public health disaster of monumental proportion which warrants an immediate emergency action ahead of all other remediation efforts; “our environment and survival is of great importance to us as a people and we expect that the federal government take our demands seriously,” he said.
Abe said despite its commitment and support for the unity of Nigeria, the Ogonis would continue to seek control of its resources and urged the people to remain supportive and law abiding.
previous post
next post
