The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ogoni

  • Ogoni: Prison and cemetery as federal amenities

    The proclivity of the Nigerian state to deny and dehumanize the minority ethnic nationalities is again playing out in oil-rich Ogoniland, Rivers State. Following decades of environmental degradation occasioned by relentless oil exploration, Nigeria had acquiesced to a recommendation by the United Nation for a holistic rehabilitation, if only to preserve the humanity there.

    So, amid song and dance in 2016, the Federal Government flagged off the implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). Then, a high-powered panel was named, though not empowered to work.

    Twenty-one months later, Ogoni people have become restive on account of the inaction. Life has continued to be miserable and aquatic vocation unthinkable.

    With an eye now obviously on the next election and the other on the vast oil still buried in Ogoni soil (the exploitation of which the oil majors are just too eager to resume), Abuja thought up a way out. Without evincing the slightest pang of conscience, Abuja now wants to give the people prison and cemetery instead.

    It sounds like a crude plagiarism of OBJ’s own playbook at a time. In response to repeated lamentations of “federal neglect” by Imo leaders at a town-hall meeting while on official visit to Owerri sometime in 2002, then President Obasanjo cynically punctured such claims, citing Owerri prisons for instance as “federal presence”.

    With a straight face, he reckoned that the only federal amenity his own native Ogun State could perhaps be said to enjoy above Imo was – wait for it – Aro Psychiatric Home. He therefore asked the now dazed audience that day (including Governor Achike Udenwa) whether they would fancy a replica in Owerri, in the spirit of equity.

    Today, the symbolism of the offer of prison and cemetery as substitute for more economically impactful amenities should not be lost on Ogoni people. It is perhaps to remind them of two stark options available. One, Abuja’s commitment to, at least, provide ample store for the remains of those broken by the scorched earth policy underlining the mindless oil exploitation. Second is the assurance of a holding facility for resident “trouble-makers” who might wish to lend themselves to temptation to disrupt the operation of the prevailing architecture of state plunder.

    Abuja’s lip service to the Ogoni clean-up has, in turn, provided a perfect excuse for the conniving Shell and other joint-venture partners to withhold the agreed $1b counterpart fund for UNEP implementation. Expectedly, Abuja would blame the inertial on cash crunch, even though oil receipt mined from Ogoniland and other blighted provinces in the Niger Delta accounts for more than 80 percent of the nation’s gross earning. But, of course, there is money to build a fancy rail that stretches from Katsina into Niger Republic and co-fund the construction of a new refinery in same Niger Republic.

    Truly, equity has a new meaning.

  • MOSOP to world leaders: avert genocide in Ogoni

    The Movement for Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has called on world leaders and people of conscience to avert an impending genocide in Ogoniland.

    It urged them to pressure Nigeria and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to implement recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on  the environmental assessment of Ogoniland, submitted to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.

    MOSOP, yesterday, through its Publicity Secretary, Fegalo Nsuke, noted that between March 2 and 17, Bodo-Ogoni in Gokana Local Government Area buried 33 persons; 29 died in K-Dere, also in Gokana council, with similar reports from other Ogoni villages.

    It said: “MOSOP wants to use this opportunity to alert the world of what is clearly a Shell/state-sponsored genocide in Ogoniland. We are concerned that Shell and the Federal Government of Nigeria are doing little or nothing about the restoration of Ogoni environment and the immediate provision of water for the people,  even as communities record increasing death rate.

    “MOSOP flays the inhuman attitude of the Nigerian government and Shell. We urge the world not to allow this happen in the 21st century.

    “We take exception to the fact that just in December 2017, the Nigerian government approved $1 billion to purchase arms to fight insurgents in the Northeast, but the same government has failed to provide an agreed sum of $200 million annually for five years to save the lives of over one million people in Ogoniland.

    “In the midst of these terrible conditions, the Federal Government has remained silent on the threats posed by Belema Oil Producing Limited and Robo-Michael Limited, both Nigerian oil firms, which are currently sponsoring rival groups in the hope to force a resumption of oil production in Ogoniland, despite our repeated notification and firm position expressing our disapproval to oil production, without the implementation of the UNEP report and other conditions.

    “It is disturbing that while Ogoni people and their environment are increasingly threatened by the effects of years of pollution from Shell’s reckless business practices, the Nigerian government is doing nothing as Belema Oil and Robo-Michael continue to sponsor divisions and rivalry, thereby increasing the potential for conflicts that can worsen the condition of people who are already faced with death from environmental pollution.”

    MOSOP admonished the world leaders to stand up for humanity and save the Ogoni from extinction, stressing that the world must not be silent on the danger faced by the Ogoni.

    SPDC was sent packing in 1993 from Ogoniland’s four councils of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme.

    Renowned environmentalist Ken Saro-Wiwa, and eight Ogoni activists were hanged in Port Harcourt on November 10, 1995, by the late Gen. Sani Abacha.

     

  • ‘Ogoni must unite in non-violence’

    A former Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Barinua Moses Wifa, has said that the Ogoni must unite, for their non-violent struggle to be successful.

    He noted that groups in Ogoni four councils; Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme must shun those threatening the struggle and peace.

    Wifa, an indigene of Kono-Ogoni in Khana, who just turned 80, spoke yesterday in his Port Harcourt home.

    Chief Gani Topba-led Ken Saro-Wiwa Associates presented to him the 14-point communique of the Ogoni General Assembly, aimed at moving the crude oil and gas-rich area forward.

    The senior lawyer said: “Let me say that the time we celebrate victory is when we get the fruits of our struggle. For the purpose of Ogoni struggle, I just have one piece of advice: there is sufficient space for all the different opinions in our communities to be accommodated, because nothing is mutually exclusive.

    “There is need that you maintain peace and know that you come together, work to achieve a goal. I warned many years ago that we are being left behind. Let me say in very clear terms what I mean by we can all work together. Let us not just be talking. We should have some action points to ensure that we keep aside what appears to be over-massaging of our egos and look for the common good of Ogoni people. That is what will bring us the benefits of the struggle.

    “I want to say that it is not over until it is over. The victory we will get when all of us, I mean all of use, the leadership of our people, come together, is enormous. We have the responsibility, the young and old, to lead our people aright. I am charging all the leaders of Ogoni to come together. Let us put aside our personal egos. Let us look at what is critical for the benefit of everybody in our land. We should know that the struggle is not an easy one.”

    Wifa lauded members and leaders of Ken Saro-Wiwa Associates for the communique, urging them not to deviate from the non-violent struggle that Ogoni people were known for.

  • ‘Why SPDC, others should stay off Ogoni’

    ‘Why SPDC, others should stay off Ogoni’

    The Ogoni General Assembly has said that Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Robo-Michael Nigeria Limited and others  should stay off Ogoniland in the interest of peace.

    It noted that the people were not opposed to the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland, but insisted that SPDC remained persona non grata in the area.

    Renowned environmentalist Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni leaders in 1993 said that Shell could not hold stakes or profit from exploration and production of oil and gas in Ogoniland.

    Rising from a meeting on Saturday, Ken Saro-Wiwa Associates, with Chief Gani Topba as national coordinator, at the Suanu Finimale Nwika Conference Centre in Bori, reaffirmed the people’s desire to remain in Nigeria.

    In a 14-point communique signed by Kabari Agara, asked officials of SPDC to stop their desperate moves to return to Ogoniland through the back door.

    Shell, through its spokesman, Joseph Obari, insisted that it is neither laying pipes nor contemplating to return to Ogoniland, but repairing the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP) passing through Ogoni to Bonny Island.

    The communique reads: “President Muhammadu Buhari, who is also the substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources, should reject the application of SPDC to renew its lease over Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11 (Ogoni Fields).

    “SPDC’s subsisting lease over OML 11 (Ogoni Fields), which will expire in 2019, should be revoked immediately, to pave the way for discussions with Ogoni elders and leaders of thought on the demands of the Ogoni people, as articulated in the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR) presented to the Federal Government of Nigeria in October 1990, before the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland.

    “The unilateral decision of NNPC to grant approval and operatorship licence to RoboMichael Nigeria Limited to resume oil production in OML 11 (Ogoni Fields), on behalf of SPDC, without the free, prior and informed consent of the Ogoni people, as guaranteed by international law, is brazen and undemocratic, as it is capable of igniting fresh crisis in the area.

    “The Federal Government of Nigeria should urgently rebuild all Ogoni communities that were destroyed by the Nigerian military between 1993 and 1998, resettle and rehabilitate all Ogoni refugees in Nigeria and in the Diaspora and victims of human rights violations during the period.

    “Ogoni people reiterate that Shell must accept responsibility and apologise for its complicity in the human rights violations and murder of Ogoni people between 1993 and 1998.

    “Royal Dutch Shell Plc and its Nigerian subsidiary, SPDC, must establish and implement an appropriate and adequate compensation mechanism, consistent with the requirements of international law and industry best practices to compensate the Ogoni people for the environmental degradation, health impairment and loss of livelihoods, to which they have been subjected, through the decades of SPDC’s oil and gas operations in Ogoniland.”

    Ogoni people demanded speedy implementation of recommendations in the report of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on the environmental assessment of Ogoniland.

    They mandated the Ken Saro-Wiwa Associates to facilitate reconciliation of Ogoni leaders and stakeholders, to foster the development of Ogoniland.

    They reaffirmed their belief in the non-violent approach in their quest for social, economic, political, cultural and environmental justice, but declared that headquarters of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) must be relocated to Ogoniland from Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

    They lauded security chiefs for the sustenance of peace in Ogoniland, while maintaining that the security set-up should remain committed to upholding the law and rights in Ogoniland and other parts of the Niger Delta.

    Speaking with reporters after the meeting, Topba, said: “What you have seen is that Ogoni people have adopted the communiqué. What the Ken Saro-Wiwa Associates will do now is to make sure every position of this assembly is implemented.

    “We are going to ensure that we circulate this position around the world. President Muhammadu Buhari, members of the National Assembly, embassies of countries and the United Nations will have copies, just as we did with the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR). We are doing this so that the government can know what to work with. I can tell you that the current security architecture has changed. Look at how they are protecting Ogoni people. Ogoni will develop. I can assure you that everything about Shell and Robo-Michael Nigeria Limited in Ogoniland is dead and dead for ever. Today (Saturday) is the final burial.

    “The leadership of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has failed. If the President of MOSOP, Chief Legborsi Pyagbara, wants to do Ogoni thing, he should make use of our document.”

  • MOSOP urges Buhari to intervene in Ogoni

    MOSOP urges Buhari to intervene in Ogoni

    MOVEMENT for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to end the threat to peace in Ogoniland by cautioning Belema Oil Producing Limited and Robo-Michael Limited.

    It accused the firms of putting a wedge between local groups to divide them, saying this could cause crisis in the four Ogoni councils: Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme.

    MOSOP, through its Publicity Secretary, Fegalo Nsuke, yesterday in Port Harcourt, said that Belema Oil Producing and Robo-Michael, both associates of  Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), were dividing Ogoni land.

    It said: “The way forward is a peaceful settlement through dialogue, taking into strong consideration, the interest of the Ogoni people, as articulated in the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR) of August 26, 1990.

    “We wish to express displeasure with the officials of the Federal Government of Nigeria for feigning ignorance, while companies representing its interest, notably Belema Oil Producing Limited and Robo-Michael Limited, continue to sponsor local actors who have turned themselves into rival groups, projecting the various interests of their sponsors and representing real threats to the peace of Ogoniland.

    “We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to call to order, Belema Oil Producing Limited and Robo-Michael Limited. Ogoni people have at no time approved the resumption of oil mining in the area..

    “President Buhari should also prevail on all stakeholders involved in the remediation of Ogoniland to immediately release their counterpart funds for the clean-up of our polluted lands.

    “We note the threats faced by our people due to the continued delay in the clean-up of Ogoniland and are dismayed that while the reality of the death sentence passed on our people by Shell’s poor business operations remains with us, the Federal Government is rather silent and by implication encouraging Nigerian companies representing its interest, notably Belema Oil Producing Limited and Robo-Michael Limited, to continue to sponsor groups and cause strong division, with potential to ignite serious conflict in Ogoniland.”

    MOSOP declared that oil resumption in Ogoniland was not its priority for now, stressing that the Federal Government must initiate discussions with all parties, including Shell, to ensure peaceful resolution.

  • Battle for oil splits Ogoni monarchs, MOSOP

    The Movement for Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has disowned monarchs in Ogoniland, who endorsed an indigenous oil firm, Robo-Michael Limited, to resume oil production in the area.

    It noted that the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers should not have taken sides in the matter.

    MOSOP, yesterday in Port Harcourt, through its Publicity Secretary, Fegalo Nsuke, said: “We wish to state that the endorsement does not in anyway represent the wishes of our (Ogoni) people. We reject and dissociate MOSOP from it.

    “MOSOP reiterates its earlier position that it has not and will not endorse any oil company, be it Robo-Michael Limited, Belema Oil Producing Limited, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) or any other firm, for the purpose of resuming oil production in Ogoniland, until the issues raised by the Ogoni people are addressed through dialogue.

    “No amount of sponsored blackmail will alter our position on the interest of the Ogoni people in the Ogoni oil and on other issues affecting Ogoniland.”

    The organisation said that it was dismayed at the United Kingdom’s appeal court judgment that blocked an attempt to hold Shell accountable for crimes in the Niger Delta.

    It noted that the decision would not exonerate the Anglo/Dutch oil giant from its crimes in the Niger Delta.

    MOSOP said: “We consider the judgment not only as a blow to the aspirations of the Ogoni people and the other people of the Niger Delta, but a bad precedent and a dangerous setback against the hopes of millions of people, who suffer injustice from irresponsible business operations of UK multinationals.

    “The decision is also a call on the people of the Niger Delta to continue to challenge corporate irresponsibility of multinationals like Shell, whose activities threaten the survival of the people, through civil protests.”

  • ‘Promote innovation in livelihoods’ growth in Ogoni’

    Indigenes of Ogoni and development partners have agreed to promote innovation in livelihoods’ development in Ogoniland as the clean-up of the polluted sites is on.

    At a workshop yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on livelihoods’ innovation in Ogoniland, organisers of the event, Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), said that approaches towards prompting improved livelihoods had not changed in the last decade.

    SDN’s Programmes Advisor Chris Newson, in his remarks, said: “There are some moves on skills-based training and agricultural extension in Ogoni, but they have generally not taken advantage of new technology or lesson from elsewhere.

    “Our perspective is that there are a range of innovatives that could be applicable to Ogoni. They should be considered carefully on whether and how they can be transplanted.”

    Some intervention partners, such as International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Market Development in the Niger Delta (MADE) and Partners for Peace in the Niger Delta (PIND) provided options for livelihoods’ development in Ogoniland to include agriculture and non-agric businesses, such as tourism.

    The representative of IITA, Richardson Okechukwu, called for a review in the agric process to reap maximum benefits.

    President of the Movement for Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) Chief Legborsi Saro Pyagbara said negatives about Ogoni had been over-flogged.

    Pyagbara said that it was time to talk about livelihoods in Ogoni, while working on minds of the people.

  • MOSOP urges Buhari to protect Ogoni

    MOSOP urges Buhari to protect Ogoni

    The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to protect Ogoni people from the alliance between an indigenous oil firm, Robo Michael Nigeria Ltd and the Army.

    It condemned the duo  after Wednesday’s alleged forcible occupation of its secretariat in Bori, traditional headquarters of Ogoniland and  seat of Khana Local Government of Rivers State.

    MOSOP, yesterday in Port Harcourt, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Fegalo Nsuke, said a repeat of the killing of innocent persons and destruction of property between 1993 and 1995 in  Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme councils would not be allowed.

    It alleged: “At 1pm on December 27, two military tanks and about 10 trucks loaded with heavily-armed soldiers took over the secretariat of MOSOP in Bori, forcing their way into the hall to provide backing for a meeting between Robo Micheal and Ogoni chiefs.

    “We are shocked that Robo Micheal, a strange company to the Ogoni that claims to be the new operator of the Ogoni oilfields, on its first visit to Ogoniland, could only convey such a frightening and intimidating character, reminiscent of the brutal years of the late Gen. Sani Abacha; forcibly occupying our secretariat and depicting a determination to crush and kill any Ogoni opposition against its intents to resume oil production.

    “Robo Micheal Ltd has demonstrated its inhuman side and true personality, signalling danger to the security of our people.

    “The action of Robo Micheal smacks of the return of military oppression in Ogoniland. We condemn the action of Robo Micheal and the penchant of the authorities to deploy troops to repress the wishes of our people.

    “We demand a probe into the military occupation of our secretariat, especially given the fact that we have not approved our secretariat for a meeting with Robo Micheal.”

    MOSOP said as an indigenous community, the only demand the Ogoni would want to make was for their rights and dignity to be respected, as contained in the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR) of August 1990.

    Spokesman for 6 Division  in Port Harcourt Col. Aminu Iliyasu said the allegations against the soldiers were being investigated.

    Last week, the Ogonis, led by the National Coordinator of Ken Saro-Wiwa Associates, Chief Gani Topba,  protested in Port Harcourt against the alleged unauthorised resumption of oil production in Ogoniland by Robo Michael Nigeria Ltd.

  • Tinubu: Buhari’ll clean up Ogoni

    Tinubu: Buhari’ll clean up Ogoni

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has said President Muhammadu Buhari will not relent on his promise to clean up the polluted environment in Ogoniland, Rivers State.

    She gave the assurance in Bera-Ogoni, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, when Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers Southeast) hosted the committee members in his country home.

    The committee, including Abe, was in Ogoniland on oversight and investigative visit to sites of the ongoing clean-up, as recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

    Tinubu said: “The land that had been flowing with milk and honey, and I know you must have been taking fish from the rivers before, is no longer like that. Even your plants are not growing to the capacity that you would have wanted.

    “I believe we have done much of agitation and sensitisation, and we know that lives have been lost in the struggle. The world has heard and we believe that Mr. President has also heard.

    “With the confidence we have in President Buhari, I believe and pray he will not disappoint you. He has been a man of his word and we expect him to match his word with action. He has promised and I believe he will deliver to the latter.”

    Senator Tinubu also urged persons who instituted court actions that could hamper the smooth running of the clean-up to withdraw their cases from the courts, stressing that no meaningful development would happen in an atmosphere of disunity.

    She said: “We came here on oversight and investigative visit, just to see what is actually going on. We have read so much in the newspapers. Let the newspapers match what we are seeing. So, when we go back to the Senate, we have a better picture. Ogoni sons are occupying key positions in the clean-up process. So, Ogoni people are not in the gap about what is going on.

    “Those who are in court would need to withdraw their cases because if a matter is in court, we cannot deal with it. We see a lot of interest groups and agitations.”

     

     

  • How to get us out of illegal oil refining, by Ogoni youths

    How to get us out of illegal oil refining, by Ogoni youths

    The hall was filled with Ogoni artisanal oil refiners popularly called “kpor-fire”. Minister of State for Environment Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibrin and his team were  their guests. The meeting was hosted by Project Coordinator, Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) Dr. Marvin Dekil.

    At the meeting, which started by 7: 30 pm, the artisanal refiners openly informed the Federal Government that they would not leave illegal refining except they see commitment on the side of the government to empower them.

    They disclosed that  after some of them were delisted from pipelines surveillance by government agencies, illegal refining became the only source to earn a living, adding that it was from the illegal business that they carter for  their families.

    The artisanal refiners in Ogoni who were led by Mr. Elvis Ikoma and Domka Humphrey told Jibrin who represented the Federal Government on the consultative meeting that they can only leave illegal refining when federal government shows commitment on their livelihood.

    Though, they also told the minister that if they were not committed to support Ogoni cleanup none of them would honour his invitation, stressing that some of them have already left the illegal refining after Dekil approached them to stop.

    Humphrey said: “Sir, I will tell you our minds, if you don’t empower us we will not stop illegal refining, because this is what we use to feed our family and relatives. We don’t have anything doing after government takes away the pipeline surveillance from us.

    “So, we need to be carried  along,  some of us are graduates,  many people are still in the bush refining, if you empower us, we will talk to them and they will leave the bush. But where we are not seeing anything it would be very difficult for us to leave the illegal refining.”

    Dekil said: “As you are well aware, the United Nations Environment programme, UNEP report on Ogoni environment among other things recommended that efforts be made to draw those involved in artisanal refining away from such dangerous activities through awareness campaigns on the hazards they pose to the environment and human health.

    “The report also recommends alternative employment opportunities to be put in place for youths who had hitherto preoccupied themselves with artisanal refining. In keeping with these recommendations, we had earlier on 30th May, 2017 held a meeting with your leaders. At that meeting we explained to them the mandate of, HYPREP, the determination of the Federal Government in ensuring the mandate of HYPREP is realised and the health impact of artisanal refining of your health and the environment.

    “At the end of the meeting we tasked your leaders to liaise with you to identify the skills you would want HYPREP to train you in as alternative means of livelihood for you. We want to believe that assignment has been completed and the list of skills handy. In this second meeting with you,  we are glad that the Honorable Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jubrin Usman is present and his presence is a confirmation of the fact that the federal Government means well for you and we would not also expect less from you as regards the Ogoni cleanup project. We could not stop from appealing to you to cease from all sorts of artisanal refining both in your own interest, that of the environment and the overall economy of the nation.

    “The ogoni environment is already polluted and what we need now is remediation and not re-pollution. The process of remediation is rigorous and time consuming and in the Ogoni case, it will take some years to restore the environment. The implication of that is that a re-pollution is a further elongation of the time. We must therefore not sacrifice our present and the future of the next generation on the altar of instant gratification.

    Jibrin said he was happy that ex-artisanal refiners  opened up their minds, adding that illegal refining is not only  dangerous to the environment but to those who are engaging in it.”

    The minister promised that the Federal Government in partnership with the Ministry of Petroleum and the office of the HYPREP Coordinator will ensure that they are trained with the aim to secure their livelihood

    Jibrin said: “I have heard all of  you, I’m assuring you that the issue will get to the Acting President, but remember that  you have fishes of all kinds, animals, we cannot get them if you contaminate the water with hydrocarbon pollution. We need the mangrove, because we use it for firewood, but it is in our own interest to keep our environment clean, it is in our own interest to ensure that in whatever we must do we have to take care of our environment.

    “That is why the federal government has taken the issue of Modular refinery serious, it is community base, and it is authority. It is going to be regulated. There is need for us to organise ourselves into responsible cooperatives. Whether they are community or local government base but there is need to have something that would regulate us.  And with your support I am assuring you that the Federal government is determine through HYPREP to support your training and empowerment. But you must be at the front to drive the process.

    “We are out to make a difference, the life we live is for the living, and we can only live a good life if we are healthy, if we have something doing that can touch our lives. We cannot do anything outside our environment, we want Ogoni to be cleaned, this is our intention and this is what we are going to do. Government cannot create job for everybody but can create a conducive environment for people to earn a living.

    “The acting President had showed his commitment when he hosted the leadership of PANDAF headed by Chief Edwin Clark, all their demand were listed, you are aware that the Acting President had visited the Niger Delta. Many people talk about economy but I talk about environment because it is the responsibility of my office and my team to ensure that we have conducive, friendly and livable environment. But we cannot do that if we are doing certain practices that may not be healthy on the environment.

    “We will not be tired of talking with you, you will be the one to carry out the gospel, I saw spills and I have repeated this that I use to see fish fried with red and vegetable oil but I saw fish in Ogoni  fried with crude oil. When you see this kind of thing,  no matter how inhuman you are, it must touch your mind, the first thing I remember was our woman, daughters who have certain responsibilities going to the farm fetching water and firewood on the contaminated environment but how long are we going to continue with this.”