By Jimitota Onoyume

PORT HAR-COURT— MOVEMENT for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP, has warned against what it called “attempt to forcefully resume oil exploration activities in  Ogoni.”

President of the body, Mr Legborsi Pyagbara,   in a statement yesterday, alleged that Ogoni communities  were shut out of the process that resulted in the award of mining license for OML 11 to an indigenous oil firm, insisting that they will resist any attempt to force any oil firm  on the area.

He frowned at the reported laying of oil pipelines in some parts of Ogoni communities, saying that it violated the rights of the people and could provoke another round of crisis in the area.

He said: “While the Steering Committee warmly welcomes genuine investments that will create opportunities in Ogoni, it reaffirms its position that no company can be foisted on Ogoni people and no oil extraction can take place in Ogoni without a broad-based discussion and agreement with the people, taking into consideration the long drawn impasse between our community and the oil industry that had occasioned the gross violations of the rights of the Ogoni people.”

The body also advised Ogoni indigenes not to go into secret deal with any oil firm over oil related matters in Ogoni  communities.