The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has described as “very disturbing” a media report credited to the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brigadier General Paul Boroh (rtd.), that the Ogoni clean-up programme will be secured by ex-militants. Boroh was quoted to have been in touch with Ateke Tom and some un-named stakeholders to ensure adequate security for the clean-up programme.

A statement signed by MOSOP Publicity Secretary Fegalo Nsuke and made available to News Express this morning said: “MOSOP wishes to state unequivocally that there is no security threat to the Ogoni clean-up exercise except General Boroh is instigating one, which he will need to clarify. Boroh’s statement is not only suspicious but corroborates our fears that the government has deliberately ignored the Ogoni environmental restoration project citing frivolous excuses.

“MOSOP notes that the Ogoni people eagerly awaits the implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report in Ogoniland and will fully cooperate all agencies including security personnel to see that the programme is successful.

“We are however disturbed by Gen. Boroh’s strange security arrangements outside the Police and other relevant agencies charged with the responsibility to secure our people at all times. We are deeply worried that Boroh’s statement bares the smack of Major Paul Okuntimo’s “Wasting Operations”, a secret government plan which caused divisions and crises in Ogoniland to sustain military crackdown under the late Gen. Sanni Abacha and hope that Boroh’s statement will not culminate in divisions and resentments against Ogoni interests to justify further delays in the implementation of the environmental restoration report or to shortchange the Ogoni people in the placement of key structures for the implementation of the report.

“MOSOP is deeply worried about the security implications of Gen. Boroh’s statement especially his discussions with ex-militants like Ateke Tom, a non-Ogoni and an indigene of Okrika, who should ordinarily not play a role in the circumstance.

“MOSOP, on behalf of the Ogoni people, is totally and tenaciously in support of the Ogoni cleanup and assures the government, volunteers, friend of the Ogoni, security agencies and relevant stakeholders of the willingness of all sections of the Ogoni community to corporate with the process. We will assiduously work to ensure the success of the programme.”

•Photo shows Presidential Amnesty Programme Coordinator, Paul Boroh.