MOSOP Welcomes Call for Restoration of Ogoni Environment

As MOSOP President / Spokesman, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo proposed all party engagement process

MOSOP President/Spokesman, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo today welcomed the indication of interest by the E.U. – U.S. economic blocs in the immediate environmental restoration of Ogoniland, but described the blocs’ list of parties for engagement as one-sided; as it excluded the victims – the Ogoni people.

Dr. Diigbo was reacting to E.U. – U.S. statement issued in Washington D.C. urging “the Government of Nigeria to follow up on the UNEP report on Ogoniland, to remedy the critical health and environmental problems facing this region and to further engage the oil companies and the international community on this issue.”

Dr. Diigbo said as required in post-conflict EIAS due process, engagement of victims, such as the Ogoni people as represented by MOSOP, was not a favor, but a vital precondition to reach meaningful resolution with the offenders, including the government of Nigeria, NNPC, Royal Dutch/Shell, Chevron, and the international community.

Dr. Diigbo maintained that the role of MOSOP would be to prevent the tendency whereby the government and oil companies would the due process and continue in the same pattern of violations and neglect that led to the environmental crime and murder of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other innocent Ogonis for speaking out.

MOSOP urges Nigeria to seize the E.U. – U.S. economic blocs’ indication of interest to convey a multi-stakeholders’ joint review of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Ogoniland Environmental Assessment in order to foster genuine dialogue between victims and offenders to bring about honest healing process to achieve open environmental justice.

Dr. Diigbo said that MOSOP will agree to direct involvement in all-party engagement process to ensure lasting reconciliation and to build partnerships to protect the dignity and indigenous rights of the Ogoni people.

Tambari Deekor

Associate Editor, MOSOP MEDIA

ENDS

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