The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene and end the threat to peace in Ogoniland by putting a check to the activities of Belema Oil Producing Limited and Robo-Michael Limited.
It accused the two indigenous oil firms of desperation for Ogoni oil, which it insisted had created local groups that were sharply divided against one another, with potential for serious crisis in the four Ogoni Local Government Areas of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme.
MOSOP, through its Publicity Secretary, Fegalo Nsuke, yesterday in Port Harcourt, stated that the divide and conquer tactics of Belema oil producing limited and Robo-Michael limited, described as associates of the Anglo/Dutch oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), were seriously pitching Ogoni people against one another, which could degenerate to crisis.
It said: โThe way forward is a peaceful settlement through dialogue, taking into strong consideration, the interest of the Ogoni people, as articulated in the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR) of August 26, 1990.
โWe wish to express displeasure with the officials of the Federal Government of Nigeria for feigning ignorance, while companies representing its interest, notably Belema Oil Producing Limited and Robo-Michael Limited, continue to sponsor local actors who have turned themselves into rival groups, projecting the various interests of their sponsors and representing real threats to the peace of Ogoniland.
โWe urge President Muhammadu Buhari to call to order, Belema Oil Producing Limited and Robo-Michael Limited. Ogoni people have at no time approved the resumption of oil mining in the area..
โPresident Buhari should also prevail on all stakeholders involved in the remediation of Ogoniland to immediately release their counterpart funds for the clean-up of our polluted lands.
โWe note the threats faced by our people due to the continued delay in the clean-up of Ogoniland and are dismayed that while the reality of the death sentence passed on our people by Shellโs poor business operations remains with us, the Federal Government is rather silent and by implication encouraging Nigerian companies representing its interest, notably Belema Oil Producing Limited and Robo-Michael Limited, to continue to sponsor groups and cause strong division, with potential to ignite serious conflict in Ogoniland.โ
The umbrella organisation of Ogoni people also urged President Buhari to take full responsibility for the peace of Ogoniland by prevailing on the indigenous oil companies not to cause crisis in the area, through the various groups being sponsored to advance their interests in Ogoniland.
MOSOP declared that oil resumption in Ogoniland was not its priority for now, stressing that the Federal Government must initiate discussions involving all parties to the prolonged conflict, including Shell, to ensure peaceful resolution.
