|
Communique Issued at the End of the One-Day Workshop on Shell Community Development Project in Ogoni Saturday, August 14, 1999, at Suanu Finimale Nwika Hall, Bori 1. We reiterate the Ogoni position that we reject Shell's activities and environmental devastation of Ogoni land. 2. We continue to hold Shell responsible for the environmental and human rights abuses in the past years and will continue to hold Shell accountable. 3. While Shell continues to be PERSONA NON GRATA in Ogoni until our demands are met, we call on the international community and the Nigerian Government to implement without delay the recommendation of the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights as to the conduct of a truly environmental audit of Ogoni and other parts of the Niger Delta with a view to determining the damages as well as ways of remedying them. 4. We observe that the current so called development projects seems to have been designed as part of the well known divide-and-rule tactics of the company and to serve the public relations interests of the company other than the interests of the Ogoni people. 5. Consistent with our avowed non violent principles, it is hereby resolved that the only body with which Shell should dialogue on development projects in Ogoni, if it actually has the interest of our people at heart, is MOSOP. Des Alonale Laka N/B: MOSOP is embarrased by a report from one International Media House (Reuters) which says "Nigerian Ogonis give go ahead for talks with Shell; It also said that "Shell was driven from 500,000 strong Ogoniland in 1993 by sabotage organised by Saro-Wiwa's followers . . . ." MOSOP wishes to clarify certain points as follows: 1. MOSOP wishes to explain that we are not calling for talks with Shell. Since 1996, Shell has been trying to bribe some Ogoni persons with "Development Projects". A workshop was then organised to sound the opinion of Ogoni people and the result is that Shell cannot and should pass through the back door to enter Ogoni. MOSOP is the mouthpiece of Ogoni so`any talk or negotiation in Ogoni must go through MOSOP. 2. No Shell's facility has been vandalised in Ogoni. Oilspillages by Shell is always as a result of outdated and corroded pipes. Sub standard methods are used for oil exploration and exploitation in the Niger Delta. MOSOP challenges Shell to show any evidence of sabotage against its property in Ogoni. Deeka Menegbon. Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) Nigeria, 27 Odu Street,
Ogbunabali, Port Harcourt, Nigeria: MOSOP International secretariat: e-mail: mosop@gn.apc.org Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club |
