asked in 2005
answered by Batom Mitee

1. How have the circumstances of MOSOP’s work changed since the end of the dictatorship and what has been the focus of your work in recent years?

Not much has changed since the return to democratic governance in 1999. The response to Ogoni demands is still very slow. Oil companies still operate with poor environmental records blaming their activities on enabling legislation. However, human rights violations have been reduced by over 50 % of late.
Our present focus is to lobby or pressure the national parliament into reviewing the disempowering and outdated law on oil operation in Nigeria.


2. How strong is the international response to MOSOP’s activities today?

The international response is presently getting weaker. It seems the focus of international pressure was just to get Nigeria under a civilian dictatorship.
Once the Nigerian leader started wearing a civilian dress, international pressure decreased not minding whether the ingredients of democracy are present. Evil oil practises are yet to change and there is increasing pressure in this regard.


3. How do Nigerians regard Ken Saro-Wiwa today? Is he well known in Nigeria?

Ken Saro-Wiwa is well known all over Nigeria today. Even though he was hanged along with others on the allegation of formenting trouble, people now see it as a decoy of scuttling the Ogoni struggle.
The present government has released his bones for proper burial and sometimes sends representatives to attend the annual MOSOP remembrance activities.


4. What is the relationship between Shell Oil Company and the Ogoni people today?

Since 1994, Shell was declared persona non grata in Ogoni land. Active oil operations by Shell are yet to return to Ogoni land. Shell has not been sincere in all negotiations and the Ogoni people were pleased with the national government to call in another oil company to exploit oil in Ogoni. The Government is yet to carve in because Shell wields enormous pressure and control over the government.


5. For the past 10 years, Shell abandoned oil activities in Ogoniland, what is the situation now?

Shell actually vacated active operations but their oil wells and ageing equipments are still there. The Ogoni people are very happy without oil activities because for 40 years no visible economic improvement has come from oil.
Rather carefree exploitation has led to the disruption of fishing and farming activities thus exacerbating poverty. Farmers no longer struggle for farm land with oil operations that have no direct benefit to the villagers. Military presence and human rights abuses are also reduced.


6. What effect has the RLA had on your work?

At a time when the Ogoni non violent revolution was little known internationally, the RLA came as a booster. It created immediate international recognition, which led to much support and co-operation. Several foreign journalists managed to visit Ogoniland, which led to better understanding of the combat of trial and judicial murder of the Ogoni. It also subjected the activities of Shell Oil Company to local as well as international scrutiny.