Date Published: 08/23/11

Ogonis laud Amaechi over UNEP Report

Rotimi Amaechi

Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State has been commended for supporting and encouraging the fact finding and the presentation of the United Nation’s Programme (UNEP) report.

Elected representatives from Ogoniland,comprising,Khana ,Gokana ,Tai and Eleme Local Government Areas  of Rivers State gave the commendation as presented by Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, representing Rivers South East, after a meeting in Port Harcourt.

He noted, "when the study was being undertaken, the governor practically carried the issue of the Ogoni oil pollution on his head and provided all the necessary logistics for  UNEP team  to work with “.

“The Governor bought vehicles and provided security for them’’, he said, stressing, “ He also went further to visit Ogoniland several times to plead with the people to allow the team carry out the study".

Speaking further he disclosed that the group had begun the process of engaging their constituents in consultation and that the Ogonis will take an appropriate stand on the matter.

“We shall not make our position known until we have consulted with our people".

He said the group was pleased with President Goodluck Jonathan for considering the UNEP report and appointing a committee but, however, called for the inclusion of an Ogoni son in the committee.

“We have reached out to the President to consider our request to allow one of our sons to be included in the committee”, he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Abe has blamed the past governments at the federal level for being responsible for the predicament of the people by being unable to implement laws that protected the environment.

He said that oil companies were able to circumvent the law on environment because the previous governments lacked the political will to deal decisively with those flaunting the laws and regulations of the country.

It is in view of this, he said that he has been advocating for the restructuring of the federation pointing out that laws that will protect the environment should be on the residual list, since as he said, it is illogical and wrong that somebody in Abuja who is not affected by the pollution is being given the power to regulate on pollution and otherwise.