Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has warned against what they called “attempt to forcefully resume oil exploration activities in Ogoni.”
Mr Legborsi Pyagbara, President of MOSOP, in a statement Tuesday, alleged that Ogoni communities were shut out of the process that resulted in the award of mining licence of OML 11 to an indigenous oil firm, insisting that they would resist any attempt to force any oil firm on the area.
Pyagbara frowned at the reported laying of oil pipelines in some parts of Ogoni communities, saying that it violated the rights of the people and could provoke another round of crisis in the area.
“While the Steering Committee warmly welcomes genuine investment that will create opportunities in Ogoni, it reaffirmed its position that no company can be foisted on the Ogoni people and no oil extraction can take place in Ogoni without a broad-based discussion and agreement with the people, taking into consideration the long-drawn impasse between our community and the oil industry that had occasioned the gross violations of the rights of the Ogoni people,” he stated.
The body also warned Ogoni indigenes not to go into secret deal with any oil firm over oil-related matters in Ogoni communities.
