The Governing Council of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project has promised to accelerate the approval of funds for delayed livelihood projects to fast-track their completion.
The council said, as part of the Ogoni cleanup process, projects being embarked upon to improve the living conditions of the people across the four local government areas that make up Ogoniland must be supported.
Speaking on behalf of the council, Prof. Michael Wibiere made the commitment during an assessment visit to HYPREP livelihood projects and remediation sites in Ogoniland on Thursday.
Wibiere explained that the release of any funds must follow established processes and procedures, pointing out that transparency was key at every step of the Ogoni cleanup.
He, however, disclosed that funds had already been released to speed up livelihood projects, adding that approvals for other projects would be pursued.
Wibiere stated, “Part of the reasons we are here is that there are instances where we need to maybe increase the funding. There are also instances where we need to facilitate the approval process. There are instances where we also need clarifications as to maybe the request and submissions from the PCO (Project Coordination Office).
“By the time we complete the first phase of the oversight duties, we should be able to give accelerated approvals to most of these projects. Why we are here is that most of the questions we needed to answer or we need to attend to, we have seen things for ourselves.
“So the other discussions will go on in the boardroom,” Prof. Wibiere added.
The council also identified Lot 12 in Ogale, Eleme Local Government Area of the state, and the Ogoni Power Project as priority projects, saying they would be brought before the board with a view to addressing the challenges delaying their completion.
He said, “For us as council members, the electrification project is one of the very important projects that should be focused on to see how we can complete as quickly as possible.
“We are told that some of the challenges they are having is with the community, maybe negotiations and all that. We are also going to see how we will work with the PCO when they formally brief us concerning this issue, how this can quickly be resolved.
“You will agree with me that once power is fixed, a whole lot of other things will fall in place.
“We are quite impressed that HYPREP is also concerned with the livelihood programmes. So whatever the council is going to do to ensure that the projects are completed as soon as possible, we are going to do it.
“The point we are now is that any contractor that, because of funds, left the site, is coming back as soon as possible.”
Earlier, Prof. Wibiere, while addressing beneficiaries of the Software Development Training at the Information Communication Technology Department of Rivers State University, expressed concerns over the attitude of some beneficiaries of HYPREP’s training initiatives, urging them to utilise the opportunities being provided.
Speaking on behalf of the HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, the Director, Technical Services, Prof. Damian Aguiyi, who conducted the council members to various project sites, said the visit would foster a better working relationship between the Coordination Office and the council.
He said, “It is a welcome development because the visit would solve some of the challenges that arise while the projects are being executed.
“We believe it will foster a closer working relationship between the Project Coordination Office and the Governing Council. Their ability and commitment are not in doubt. It means it would be a good day for the project execution.”
Areas visited by the Governing Council team included the Software Development Training for 152 Ogoni youths at the ICT Department of Rivers State University, being carried out in collaboration with BBK Resources Limited; the 100-bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital; B-Dere Water Project; Bomu Mangrove Restoration Site; Ogoni Power Project in Bodo; VuroVuro Shoreline Cleanup, among others.
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