The Yorla community of Kpean-town in the Khana Local Government Council Area of Ogoni, Nigeria has reacted to what many see as Shell’s mischievous journey into Ogoniland.
On Feb. 27, 2013, a popular Ogoni based online tabloid published an article that exposed Shell’s clandestine attempt to resume oil operations in Ogoniland. The article titled, “Shell’s secret return to Ogoni: Youths poised for War,” has since attracted reactions from various Ogoni groups, including that of the National Union of Ogoni Students (NUOS-INTL.) USA. In its reaction, the group issued out a press release posted on Modern Ghana (MG) Monday, March 25, 2013.
In the press release, NUOS categorically made it clear that Hon. Legborsi Nwidaadah, Chief Gilbert Warine or other Ogoni politicians/office holders, Rivers State, and Nigeria has no audacity to single-handedly usher-in Shell Oil Company, its affiliates, or sign new contracts with indigenous, national, or foreign exploiting firms without broader consultations and agreement with Ogoni people in concordance with the tenet of the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR).
The group also issued out a 30-day ultimatum within which Shell Oil should be able to cure and quit the area. The statement reads in part:
“If within 30 days from Monday 3/25/2013 Shell Oil Company is adamant, recalcitrant, and not in compliance with our demand, we shall consider the company an external aggressor and we shall seek U.N protection for the Ogoni people recognizing the universality of equal protection as a right.” NUOS wrote.
That was from NUOS, USA. Another reaction from the Yorla community, where the mischievous oil company Shell initiated the digging of mass graves, has surfaced. The Supreme Council of Yorla Traditional Rulers (SCYTR) has issued another 30-day ultimatum, ordering Shell to pack and leave the community or face legal action and peaceful anti-Shell protest.
“SHELL, BE WARNED! MOVE YOUR CONTRACTORS OUT OF OGONI LAND WITHIN 30 DAYS OR FACE ACTION FROM THE YORLA YOUTH FEDERATION” The Council wrote.
It would be recalled that in the Feb. 27th publication of the National Network, Hon. Legborsi Nwidaadaah, a new breed politician in the Rivers State House of Assembly, was fingered as one who invited Shell Oil to resume operations in the area, a thing that has led to one Felix Nyobana to write:
“I am given shell 30 days ultimatum to move out of Ogoni land or we will not hesitate to organized a peaceful anti shell protest on all the major streets of Abuja and Geneva. Who is Legborsi to bring Shell back to Ogoni land? Is it the Legborsi who has not been able to sponsor a single bill in the Rivers State House of Assembly? Who gave him that audacity? His family should call him and Shell to order with immediate effect before things go out of hands in Ogoni land.”
Source: LemixMedia