By Obiabin Onukwugha
Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), has kicked against what it described as an unapproved survey of oil infrastructure in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11, pending the resolution of several key issues related to oil operations in Ogoniland.
The demand was contained in a statement issued by MOSOP President, Olu Wai-Ogosu, at the weekend, insisting that survey should be halted until certain conditions are met and clarifications provided to the Ogoni people.
It would be noted that NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), is conducting inspections and integrity tests on oil facilities within OML 11 in Ogoniland, Rivers State. The assessment focuses on fields like Nyobe Banga and Nyokuru East to prepare for potential production resumption.
The development comes about a year after the President of Nigeri, Bola Tinibu inaugurated the Ogoni Dialogue Committee (ODC), a body made up of Ogoni traditional rulers, political leaders, and prominent sons and daughters of the area to discuss the possible resumption of oil production in Ogoni land.
According to MOSOP, the Ogoni Dialogue Committee has already submitted its report to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after which a negotiating team was formed to facilitate discussions between the Federal Government and Ogoni stakeholders over the resumption of oil operations in the region.
The negotiating team reportedly includes representatives from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMENV), the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, the NSA’s office, and other critical Ogoni stakeholders
However, MOSOP expressed concern over the ongoing survey of oil facilities within OML 11, insisting that the exercise was carried out without the necessary approval.
As part of its demands, MOSOP called for the submission of the report of the decommissioning studies conducted on oil and gas infrastructure previously operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in OML 11 before the assets were divested to Renaissance Africa Energy Limited.
“MOSOP also requested the release of the post Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report conducted by SPDC on the oil block, which should clearly state the assets and liabilities transferred to the new operator and confirm that the report was submitted to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA),” the statement read in part.
Additionally, the group demanded “the publication of the list of participants involved in the ongoing inspection of oil and gas facilities, including regulatory agencies, host communities, and the groups they represent.”
MOSOP further insisted that evidence of the survey activities should receive approval from the management of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee facilitating the process.
The organisation also called for proof that both SPDC and Renaissance Africa Energy Limited had properly engaged with the Ogoni Congress regarding the change of operatorship of OML 11, adding that “these conditions must be met to ensure transparency and build trust among the Ogoni people before any further steps toward the resumption of oil production in the region.”
