Recently, there were media reports about a deal between the people of Ogoni ethnic nationality in Rivers State and an indigenous oil company, Belema Oil Producing Limited, on the resumption of oil exploration and exploitation in their land.
Going by the new deal, Belema Oil was expected to replace oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) which packed out of the area at the peak of the crisis between the firm and the people of Ogoni in 1993. It is on record that the crisis led to killing of four prominent Ogoni chiefs by angry youths at Giokoo community in Gokana local government area of the state in 1994.
Following the death of the chiefs, renowned environmentalist, Ken Saro-Wiwa and scores of his kinsmen were accused of complicity in the death of the chiefs and were consequently arrested.
A military tribunal set up to try those arrested found nine of them, including Saro-Wiwa guilty, even as they were condemned to death and consequently hanged at the Port Harcourt Prisons on November 10, 1995.
Since then, the Ogoni had vowed not to allow Shell return to the area due to the loss of 13 of its kinsmen and the massive pollution on its environment as a result of oil exploration and exploitation by Shell.
The decision of the people of Ogoni to allow resumption of oil exploration in the area was contained in a five point communiqué signed by the chairman, Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers (SCOTR), King Godwin Giniwa and other traditional rulers of oil producing communities in Ogoniland.
The communiqué which was read by the paramount ruler of Ogale-Eleme community in Eleme local government area of the state, Chief Godwin Bebe-Okpabi, also endorsed an indigenous oil firm known as Belema Oil Producing Limited for the take-off of oil operations in Ogoniland.
While accepting the new company, it endorsed the new oil firm to the Ogoni people, Shell, the federal government, European Union, the United Nations and other relevant agencies, seeking support and cooperation for the new firm.
The communiqué reads, “We hereby accept, present, endorse and declare Belema Oil Producing Limited to all Ogoni People, Shell Africa, Shell Investor Group, the Federal Government of Nigeria, World Investors Finance Groups, United Nations, all Human Rights Support Groups, European Union, EU.
“Ogoni oil is now open for exploration and production for Belema Oil Producing Limited. Shell, the federal government and all groups should kindly give all necessary support to making this historic event successful.”
But, less than 24 hours after the communiqué was made public, the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Ogoni ethnic nationality, the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) dissociated itself from the endorsement of an indigenous oil company, Belema Oil Company Limited, by some traditional rulers in Ogoniland.
A statement signed by the media advisor to president of MOSOP, Bari-ara Kpalap, said it decided to respond to the purported endorsement of Belema Oil Producing Limited because it has the potential of deceiving, confusing and misleading unsuspecting Ogonis and indeed the general public.
The statement reads, “Ordinarily, MOSOP would have ignored the reports but for its potential of deceiving, confusing and misleading unsuspecting Ogonis and indeed the general public. MOSOP would unequivocally wish to state that the Ogoni people have not taken such position.
“MOSOP is disappointed at the demonstrable desperation of the chiefs, Belema Oil and their collaborators hence MOSOP dissociate itself from the purported declaration of the chiefs.
“Our position remains that whilst we are not opposed to prospective companies indicating interest in the Ogoni oil concession, and recognising the sensitivity and peculiar circumstance of our people in relation to oil matters, due process has to be followed to foster genuine participation and collective decision. We regret to say that the haste with which the so-called process has been handled remains suspect as it lacks transparency.
“We therefore call on the good people of Ogoni and the general public not only to discountenance the baseless claims but also resist any attempt to fraudulently sell Ogoni oil through the back door.
“MOSOP has stated time without number that for Ogoni to reach any given position on the very sensitive issue of oil production in the area, wide consultation has to be embarked upon, after which an Ogoni National Congress would be convoked. We are aware that these processes have not been completed.
“We consider as appalling and provocative the role of Belema Oil in this whole saga and would be held responsible for any conflict that may occur therefrom. The way and manner with which it has pursued its interest in the Ogoni oil concession has caused disaffection and division in the area.”
However, after much bickering in Ogoniland over the endorsement of an indigenous oil company as a replacement to a multinational, MOSOP summoned a meeting of all Ogoni people at the Ken Saro-Wiwa Peace and Freedom Centre, Bori, and resolved to set up a committee to study a proposal of intent to explore and exploit oil in its communities by Belema Oil.
According to a communiqué signed by MOSOP president, Legborsi Pyagbara, the committee will be made up of a representative of traditional rulers, elders, youths, and women as well as a representative of MOSOP.
The communiqué reads in part, “The congress condemned the purported declaration by some Ogoni chiefs approving immediate resumption of oil production in Ogoniland without adequate consultation with the different sectors of the Ogoni community to promote transparency, inclusiveness, and the effective participation of the citizenry.
“The congress resolved that discussions around divestment of Ogoni Oil blocks and endorsement of any company relating thereto be suspended until all the issues involved had been adequately examined, investigated, discussed, and presented to the Ogoni people at the next Ogoni National Congress.
“Consequent upon the above, Congress approved the setting up of a committee, which membership (one representative each) shall be drawn from Ogoni traditional institution, youths, women, students, Kagote, Ogoni Diaspora, oil and non-oil bearing communities and MOSOP.
“The committee is mandated to further consultations across Ogoniland and interface with the different groups and processes relating to the divestment and make recommendations to the National Congress of the Ogoni People. Congress advised that nominations into the committee should reach the office of the president of MOSOP within a week.”
