In 1996 a communication was brought to the African Commission on behalf of the Ogoni people, by the Social and Economic Rights Action Center (SERAC), a Nigerian–based NGO, and the Economic and Social Rights Action Center, a New York-based NGO. This communication averred the Nigerian government's involvement in the environmental degradation and resultant health problems amongst the Ogoni, as well as the destruction of their housing and food sources, through uncontrolled and irresponsible oil production by the State oil company (a majority shareholder in a consortium of oil companies), as well as the ruthless actions of the Nigerian military in support thereof.