The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has demanded an immediate halt to alleged secret oil drilling in parts of Ogoniland, warning that crude oil production should not resume before the ongoing dialogue between the Federal Government and Ogoni representatives is concluded.
The group also called for the publication of the names of 40 Ogoni youths reportedly employed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), alleging that foreigners had been included in the list.
The demands were contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by MOSOP Secretary-General, Stephen Nmane.
MOSOP alleged that oil drilling had resumed in some communities in Tai and Eleme Local Government Areas without adequate consultation with the people.
It described the alleged activities as a “forced re-entry through the back door” and a betrayal of the ongoing peace dialogue.
“In Ban-Ogoi and Alesa-Eleme areas, oil drilling with its attendant health and Environmental toxicity is ongoing. To us, this is in bad faith as it betrayed the Godly spirit of the dialogue,” the group said.
MOSOP demanded the immediate suspension of the operations and called for the issues surrounding the oil resumption process to be addressed.
The organisation also raised allegations of corruption against some members of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, saying the claims had generated anger and tension among residents.
“Notwithstanding acknowledged doubtful integrity of some of these leaders, our people had embraced the process in the hope that envisaged opportunities offered would create enduring succour,” it said.
MOSOP alleged that some ODC members had been compromised to facilitate the alleged re-entry into Ogoniland and cited reports of young people who protested at operational sites being directed to approach an ODC leader.
The group further alleged that some members of the committee were involved in questionable oil pipeline contracts and had allegedly negotiated equity interests and payments.
MOSOP also alleged that one of the leaders was receiving monthly payments through proxies in connection with a Shell Trans Niger Pipeline surveillance contract and accused the individual of involvement in alleged double contracting for renovation of a hospital project.
The organisation did not provide independent evidence for the allegations contained in its statement.
It also alleged that the failure to publish the list of 40 NNPCL employment slots was linked to the influence of an ODC member.
MOSOP demanded immediate publication of the list in the interest of transparency and accountability.
The group said it was concerned that alleged financial interests and internal disagreements were weakening the Ogoni Dialogue Committee and undermining negotiations with the Federal Government.
MOSOP maintained that oil production and pipeline contracts should not proceed secretly while dialogue on the future of oil operations in Ogoniland was ongoing.
“It is worrisome that while leaders of other communities are busy putting development issues of their communities on the front burner of national discourse, and seeking collaboration and understanding of relevant camps to achieve projected, good outcome, our so-called leaders, instead, are concerned about personal stomach infrastructure as well as destruction of our communities. This is unacceptable,” the group said.
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