6 June 2008
Lagos — President, Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) Mr. Ledum Mitee has commended Federal Government's decision to replace Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) with another operator in Ogoniland.
Mittee told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt yesterday described government's decision as a bold step that would lead to resumption of oil exploration in the area.
"We also think that the President is dead right when he said that the relationship between Shell and Ogonis had broken down. I think that decision is very timely and appropriate at this time," he said.
He said that his people had persistently complained about the activities of Shell in the area which he said had led to avoidable deaths.
" It is like a marriage that has broken down irretrievably and you need an appropriate divorce to deal with it " he added.
Mitte said that MOSOP would play a constructive role in the process that would lead to the selection of another operator.
According to him, the new operator would be told what would be required to win the confidence of Ogoni people.
"The government should look for a company that will recognise the sanctity of human rights and our environment in its operations.These are the concerns that we have . The selection of the new company is the Federal Government's responsibility," he said.
President Umaru Yar'Adua had on Wednesday in Cape Town, South Africa, said that government would replace Shell with another operator in Ogoniland before the end of this year.
He said that government's decision was informed by the frosty relations between the SDPC and the host community.
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