The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) says “nothing concrete” has been done regarding the clean-up of Ogoni land till date.
At a press briefing in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital, on Thursday, MOSOP warned against government’s continued delay over the exercise.
They gave the federal government a December deadline to commence the clean-up, lamenting that the oil spills in the area have affected the people’s means of livelihood.
The briefing was to mark the 21st memorial anniversary of the people killed during the struggle for the development of Ogoni land.
“Our expectations have not been met because since June 2, 2016, till date, we cannot point to anything concrete thing that the federal government has done,” he said.
“The flag-off was done in June 2016 and they did another groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the integrated contaminated soil management.
“As we speak, construction or clean-up of the area is in comatose.”
The cleanup of oil-rich Ogoniland was instituted in June 2016 and was flagged off by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Shortly after the start of his administration in 2015, Buhari approved some plans to start the cleanup process.
A $10 million take-off fund to the Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Agency, HYPREP had been made by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria in August.
Minister of State of Environment, Jibril Ibrahim, said the federal government was clearing all outstanding issues before commencing the project.
Also to address the menace of oil spills and their effects on the Niger Delta communities, the government two months ago, concluded plans to establish Niger Delta Oil Spillage Management Fund (NDOSMF).
The spate of oil spills in the region is one of the grouses of the region with the federal government as reflective in the militancy that has resulted there over the past few years.
The Niger Delta Avengers have announced plans to resurrect violence in the area following fal out with the local leaders in peace talks with the federal government over the good of the region.
If the violence in the region resumes, the success and stability recorded in the oil sector in terms of production and distribution will be lost.
Source: Amore
