Sir, Three years ago this week, over 300,000 Ogoni people celebrated their National Day in song, dance and peaceful demonstrations. The Ogoni Day March of January 4th 1993 was a milestone in the Ogoni movement, bringing together more than half the population in peaceful protest against the environmental and social damage caused by the oil companies operating on their lands.
Since then the Ogoni people have been the target of a brutal reign of government repression, resulting in the death of thousands and the destruction of villages and livelihoods.
The Shell oil company has insisted that it is not its role to get involved in the political situation of any country in which it operates. Recent reports in the Sunday Times and other respected newspapers now contradict those claims, alleging a close relationship between Shell Nigeria and the representatives of the brutal military regime. The most damning claim is that Lieut Col. Paul Okuntimo was paid by Shell (Sunday Times, December 17th). It is he who was given responsibility for crushing civil unrest and opposition to Shell's operations in Ogoniland.
A leaked memo from Colonel Okuntimo to the military administrator of Rivers State notes that "Shell operations still impossible unless ruthless military operations are undertaken for smooth economic activities to commence." It includes the following recommendation "Wasting targets cutting across communities and leadership cadres, especially vocal individuals". This policy was most visibly demonstrated to the world on November 10th in the politically motivated execution of Ken Saro Wiwa and eight Ogoni activists.
This week, the Ogoni people are unable to assemble to mark National Ogoni Day. There are currently around 4,000 troops deployed in Ogoniland, an area the size of County Louth. All assemblies have been banned, and even children going to school suffer intimidation and beatings.
Trocaire holds the view that Shell holds considerable influence in Nigeria, and it is not too late to use it in promotion of human rights. On National Ogoni Day, a public statement disassociating Shell from military violence, and calling upon the government to withdraw troops from Ogoniland, might be a suitable first step.
Speaking in the Dail, the Tanaiste, Dick Spring, said "A strong message should go to Shell International to examine its involvement in Nigeria and in what is happening. They may be in a position to exercise more influence than all of the governments in the world." (December 7th). Yours, etc.,
Director, Trocaire 169 Booterstown Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin.