Jan 09, 2007

Ogoni: MOSOP Will Continue Dialogue, President Mitee Says


President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni, Mr. Mitee, said they will continue to embrace dialogue in the struggle to ensure a clean environment and better welfare.

Movement for the Survival of Ogoni (MOSOP) President, Mr Ledum Mitee, has said they will continue to embrace dialogue in the struggle to ensure a clean environment and better welfare.

Mitee, who spoke at this year's Ogoni Day, alleged that in spite of MOSOP’s peaceful approach to issues, Shell Petroleum Development Company had not shown remorse, and had failed to make any offer to the people.

He said instead, Shell was "bribing" its way for a return to Ogoniland.

He alleged that the company was in the habit of destroying their oil wells to make it difficult for whoever that would take them over, adding that there was violence in Niger Delta, because of "unfulfilled promises, lip service to problems and lack of commitment to address the problems."

Mitee urged Ogoni people to participate in the on-going voters' registration and said MOSOP would invite candidates to face voters.

He said the group would launch "my votes must count," campaign to mobilize the people to defend their votes.

"Any politician or political party hoping to win our votes by other means had better look elsewhere," Mitee warned.

Ogoni people, he said, would take part in the election to realize the dream of "Ogoni Bill of Rights."