Ogoni group gives FG 30 day ultimatum

The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has issued a 30 day ultimatum to the Federal Government to act on the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on the clean-up of Ogoniland.

Punch Newspapers reports that MOSOP President, Mr. Legborsi Pyagbara said “As part of Ogoni Project 2015, we launched a multifaceted campaign involving protest, letter writing campaigns, media advocacy and international advocacy for the implementation of the UNEP report.

“We commend the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government for the renewed interest in the UNEP report and his approval of the fast-track actions for the implementation of the report.”

“However, we are seizing this opportunity to remind the government that the unusual delay for the take-off of the project is becoming unbearable and indeed taxing our patience,” he said.

Pyagbara also said “We urge the Federal Government to without further delay bring into being the announced structures and the roadmap for the implementation of the report that respects the sensibilities of the communities.

“The ongoing delay on the part of the government will continue to be seen as an act of genocide being committed against the Ogoni people. We are giving the Federal Government a 30-day ultimatum to commence the implementation of the report or we will take up series of non-violent measures to press down our message.”

General Sani Abacha hanged Ken Saro-Wiwa in 1995, in what seemed to be an attempt to stop the campaign against then environmental degradation of the land and waters of Ogoniland by the operations of multinational petroleum companies.

Saro-Wiwa was found guilty of allegedly masterminding the gruesome murder of Ogoni chiefs at a government organised meeting, by a special military tribunal.