Chukwudi Akasike, Port HarcourtTHE Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People has rejected the N20.2million budgeted by the Federal Government for Ogoniland clean-up support in the 2018 appropriation bill. MOSOP described government’s action as unfortunate, adding that the amount would not be enough to achieve the aim of retuning the environment to its normal condition. The Federal Government had in its 2018 appropriation bill earmarked only N20,226,000 while the sum of N250 million was budgeted for attendance of international bilateral/multilateral meetings. But speaking in a telephone interview with The PUNCH on Monday, MOSOP President, Mr. Legborsi Pyagbara, explained that the implication of the Federal Government’s action was that money could be taken from the funds meant for the clean-up proper to run recurrent expenditure like payment of salaries and hosting meetings. Insisting that the amount earmarked for Ogoniland clean-up support would not be enough, Pyagbara urged government to increase the sum for a proper job to be done.

Source: Punch December 04, 2017 15:00 UTC