The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has uncovered a plot by some politicians to blackmail Minister of Environment Amina Mohammed into appointing a political party loyalist into the position of the Project Manager/Secretary to the governing council of the HydroCarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP)., the implementation agency for the Ogoni cleanup.

In a statement issued on Sunday, MOSOP Publicity Secretary Fegalo Nsuke said a highly placed source revealed that part of the reason for the delay in naming a project manager for the Ogoni cleanup programme is to cause apprehension within the Ogoni populace who are anxious to see the commencement of the cleanup programme.

Nsuke said in the statement: “The calculation of the master schemers is that the delay will mitigate any protest against the appointment of a party loyalist to manage the programme as the agitated Ogoni public will be compelled to accept whoever is eventually appointed for the position

“MOSOP wishes to unequivocally state that its position on the appointment of a project manager has not changed – that we will not accept party considerations in the choice of who becomes the project manager for HYPREP.

“We note that the progress made to ensure a clean and safe environment for the Ogoni people has cost us the lives of some of our very best men including Ken Saro-Wiwa, Chief Edward Kobani, Edward Badey, Theophilus Orage, Chief S.N. Orage, Dr. Barinem Kiobel, Rev. John Kpuinen and over 2,000 others.

“We therefore insist that our input is cardinal in the appointment of a trusted, competent and non-partisan Project Manager/Secretary for the Governing Council of HYPREP.

“MOSOP will not compromise on this issue which bothers on the integrity of a key and top manager of the Ogoni cleanup.

“MOSOP stands firmly against the use of Ogoni cleanup funds to compensate party loyalists and urge all decision makers in this process to live above board and be guided by the expectations of the Ogoni people for a clean environment achievable through an honest process.

“We therefore urge the Hon Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed to tread curiously and be guided by this collective position of the Ogoni people and not by the conservative wishes of party men and women.”

•Photo shows Environment Minister Amina Mohammed.