MOSOP urges government to set up mechanisms for Ogoni clean-up

Eco-crime hits $258b, outstripping illegal arms trade
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has called on the Federal Government to, without further delay, inaugurate the governance mechanisms for the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland.

President Muhammadu Buhari had last Thursday flagged off the clean-up and restoration of Ogoniland at Bodo, Gokana Local Council of Rivers State but did not announce the governance mechanism for the implementation of the UNEP recommendations.

MOSOP Media/Public Affairs Advisor, Bari-ara Kpalap, said the Federal Government should take concrete post-launch steps relating to the implementation of the UNEP environmental assessment report on Ogoniland.

A RAPID response report published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and INTERPOL, has revealed that the value of environmental crime has hit a record high of $91-258 billion, as against $70-213 billion in 2014, representing
26 per cent.

The report, ‘Rise of Environmental Crime’ showed that weak laws and poorly funded security forces are enabling international criminal networks and armed rebels to profit from a trade that fuels conflicts, devastates ecosystems and threatening species with extinction.

According to the report, environmental crime dwarfed the illegal trade in small arms, which is valued at about $3 billion. It is the world’s fourth-largest criminal enterprise after drug smuggling, counterfeiting and human trafficking.

It said the amount of money lost due to environmental crime is 10,000 times greater than the amount of money spent by international agencies in combating it, which is just $20-30 million.

UNEP Executive Director, Achim Steiner, said: “INTERPOL and UNEP have joined forces to bring to the attention of the world the sheer scale of environmental crime. The vast sums of money generated from these crimes keep sophisticated international criminal gangs in business, and fuel insecurity around the world.

“The world needs to come together now to take strong national and international action to bring environmental crime to an end.”
Also, INTERPOL Secretary-General, Jurgen Stock, said: “Environmental crime is growing at an alarming pace. The complexity of this type of criminality requires a multi-sector response underpinned by collaboration across borders. Through its global policing capabilities, INTERPOL is resolutely committed to working with its member-countries to combat the organised crime networks active in environmental crime.”

MOSOP said it is important to recognise that the environmental pollution in Ogoni is not stopping but spreading and deepening and compromising the inalienable right of the people to clean and safe environment necessary for sustainable development and also, their right to life. Evidence, the group claimed, abound that in Ogoni, there is an increase in the death of natives and residents, which is traceable to hydrocarbon contamination of our environment.

“Nevertheless, we would reiterate our position that the environmental crisis in Ogoni is not a political matter but a purely environmental issue. It is in this vein that we warn local politicians to desist from dragging the Ogoni environmental revival into the murky waters of dirty politics. ” said MOSOP.

Kpalap said MOSOP is aware that an overwhelming majority of the Ogoni people are deeply uncomfortable with the devious and improper behaviour of these politicians and would peacefully and non-violently resist their undermining approaches.