The National Council of Ogoni Youths (NYCOP) has threatened to embark on a non-violent mass action against the federal government if it fails to begin the implementation of the report of the United Nations’ Environmental Programme (UNEP) on environmental pollution in the area.
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?Giving? September 14, 2011 as deadline for the commencement of the implementation, the? youth body said, already, it has embarked on a mass mobilisation of its members as well as its supporters from other ethnic groups in readiness for the expiry date.
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The pan-Ogoni socio-cultural organisation, the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) had earlier given that September deadline to the federal government.
MOSOP had, on August 14, 2011, issued a 30-day ultimatum to the federal government to begin implementation of the UNEP report on environmental pollution occasioned by years of oil spills in Ogoniland.
MOSOP also demanded that the proposed clean up of the Ogoni environment, in expertise and commitment should not be anything less than the approach adopted in the Gulf of Mexico.
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In a communiqué, issued at the end of its special congress in Bori, headquarters of Khana local government area of Rivers State, NYCOP? said, “considering the highlighted emergency of the situation of environmental devastation in Ogoni and the health hazards the people are exposed to on a daily basis, the Congress expresses disappointment at the responses so far from the government which gives the impression that our non-violent option is taken for granted; suggesting that it is only the violent alternative that can attract reward in Nigeria,” the group said.
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The communiqué, which was signed by NYCOP president, Des Laka called on the federal government to immediately embark on a holistic implementation of the recommendations of the UNEP report as well as take urgent steps to provide alternative source of drinking water to the communities in Ogoniland.
While demanding an unreserved apology from Shell for the atrocities committed against the people of Ogoni, the youth body also demanded that the oil company should be punished.
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