Seven years after the Federal Government commenced the Ogoni clean-up project, the authorities have commissioned a 500,000-litre capacity water scheme in the Barako community, Gokana local government council of Rivers State.
The completion of the water scheme by the Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project (HYPREP), which is part of the six projects is expected to bring relief to residents and ameliorate acute water shortage in the area.
The Permanent Secretary, the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Acting Chairman of HYPREP Governing Board, Ibrahim Yusufu, said the water scheme will serve many communities in Ogoniland and also improve their health.
Yusuf, who stated this during the commissioning of the water project, said the ministry made deliberate efforts to recover lost grounds and ensure the delivery of emergency intervention projects in line with the United Nations Environmental Protection (UNEP) report.
He assured of the Federal Government’s commitment to execute the Ogoni cleanup in line with the UNEP report. Yusufu said: “The ministry is fervent, committed to expediting efforts in the delivery of four slots of emergency water intervention projects before the end of the year”.
He said, it has become exigent to find lasting solutions to challenges of theft and incessant sponsored agitations, which have over the years encumbered the delivery of emergency livelihood support projects.
MEANWHILE, HYPREP Coordinator, and other stakeholders have called for an end to the pollution of the environment. HYPREP Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, noted that there was a need to end oil theft and illegal refining to make the Ogoni cleanup and remediation project successful.
He said the completion and commissioning of the Barako Water Scheme is a further affirmation of the commitment of the Federal Government through HYPREP to the full implementation of the UNEP Report.
While commemorating World Mangrove Day, Zabbey said HYPREP will commence training of 90 youths and women in mangrove nursery and restoration, to leverage livelihood opportunities in shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration.
He said: “As we know, these projects entail significant economic resources, and the determination to protect and own them is definitely the path to maximising the benefits. I appeal to you to shun acts that will truncate the project cycle and affect its timely completion.
“Communities should reciprocate the Federal Government’s efforts in bridging the development gap in Ogoniland by protecting and securing these facilities from vandalism and sabotage.
“On our part, HYPREP will continue to provide a robust, accountable, and transparent stakeholder engagement interface to identify and address potential issues that would impede the successful implementation of the projects.
“We will continue to revise and improve our strategy to enhance inclusivity, community ownership, and the participation of stakeholders. We will not fail to mention that the issue of re-pollution occasioned by oil theft and illegal oil refineries must be collectively tackled to guarantee the successful clean-up of Ogoniland. Community leaders and all stakeholders must be deliberate in stemming the overarching impact of this menace on the environment, economy, and health”. He, therefore, thanked stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring that the project was successfully executed.
The Guardian
