—Pledges Commitment Towards Speedy Clean Up Of Ogoniland.
By Stephen Leemene Deegbara
The Shell Petroleum Development Company SPDC has made what many may described as a dramatic U-Turn, as it has expressed willingness and pledged genuine commitment towards federal government recent historic decisionton fast tract the implementation of the UNEP REPORT on Ogoniland.Recall, the President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government last week Approved and Directed the immediate fast tracking of the implementation of the abandoned UNEP REPORT on Ogoniland through a statement by its Spokes man Femi Adesina.
Ogoniland a region in Nigeria’s Niger Delta Region had in many years suffered severe environmental challenges due to long years of oil exploration and neglect. Famers, fisher men in the area Could no longer go about their normal business due to pollution of the there land and environment. A situation that have adversely affected Economic life of the people and have made life unbearable for the local duelers.
The leaders of Ogoni through its major organ the Movement for the survival of Ogoni people MOSOP, KAGTE, etc has over the years pushed for the compensation and remediation of her environment. Some of her leaders like worlds famous play right, activists and environmentalist Ken SaroWiwa and others have had to pay the supreme price for this course.
It is on this Note that the United nations environmental program UNEP was initiated to access and investigate the level of degradation on the environment and recommend ways of remediation.More than six years of the UNEP REPORT recommendations, no concrete or genuine actions has been taken by government or the multi National oil Companies towards the implementation of the much talked about UNEP REPORT on Ogoniland.
That is why one may not be so surprised at the huge accolades and supports that has been pouring in, ever since President Muhammadu Buhari announced the fast tracking of UNEP REPORT IMPLEMENTATION on Ogoniland.
The latest comingfrom SHELL, the company that is culpable and responsible to the damage done to the Ogoni environment.Shell in a statement issued today commended the President Muhammadu Buhari’s federal governmentof Nigeria for her bold and courageous initiative and sincere will to clean up the Ogoni environment. Shell described President Muhammadu Ledogo Buhari’s steps taking so far as a demonstration of genuine leadership and character.The company also pledges total financial and technical commitment and support towards the federal government directive.
Shell further expressed readiness to commit its funds and its BioTechnological initiative and expertise in the clean upexercise. The Dutch oil giant said it has always beenready to release its quoter of funds for the implementation of the UNEP REPORT, but it has been previously hampered by Non sincere and genuine commitment from the Nigerian government Under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
SPDC futher thanked President Muhammadu Ledogo Buhari’s for the historic steps taking so far.President Buhari had during his election campaign visit to Ogoniland promised to address the Ogoni demands within his first 100 days in office, when the people of the area presented him with a copy of the UNEP REPORT and the Ogoni Bill of Rites. This is PROMISE MADE, PROMISE FULFILLED
