MOSIEND To UK: Compel Shell To Address Ijaw Communities’ Demands Before Exiting Nigeria

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the British government to compel multinational oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), to look into the demands of Ijaw communities and other interest groups and dialogue with them before leaving Nigeria.

It said that taking into account the position of the Nigerian government, dialoguing with the communities and other interest groups would lead to a win-win situation for all sides.

MOSIEND national president, Dr. Kennedy West, spoke on Wednesday when the leadership of the organisation paid a visit to the head of the British High Commission office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

West said: “Sir, considering the long relationship the British government has had with the Ijaw and other nationalities in the region, spanning centuries, we urge the British government to advise the British concern, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to look into the demands of Ijaw communities and other interest groups, taking into account, the position of the Nigerian government and dialogue some more with them in order to arrive at a win-win situation before exiting the country.”

He appealed to the British government to stop the periodic ‘red flags’ placed on the Niger Delta region, so as to attract investors and send the right narrative about the present friendly atmosphere in the region.

The MOSIEND leader said: “Furthermore, we appeal to the British government to relax the red flag placed periodically on the Niger Delta region so as to attract investors and send the right narrative about the present friendly state of the region, so that it can serve as boosters to the economy of the region.”

Responding, the head of the British High Commission office in Port Harcourt, Fortune Alfred, said the recent visit of the UK High Commissioner to Port Harcourt was a sign that the United Kingdom has no negative perception about the Niger Delta region.

Alfred thanked MOSIEND for the visit and promised to transmit their demands to the appropriate quarters.