Lorine Emenike
A coalition of Civil Societies has called for a good working synergy between oil impacted communities and the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, to enable a good and speedy work process in the clean-up/ remediation of the contaminated Ogoni environment.
The Project Officer, Energy and Climate Change at Environmental Rights Action, Mr Kentebe Ebiaridor stated this on Thursday when he led a company of a handful of representatives of other civil society organizations, HYPREP officials and newsmen to oil impacted communities in Ogoni land which are currently undergoing remediation processes.
Mr Ebiaridor said the basis for the site visit is to properly ascertain the clean-up/ remediation process done by HYPREP.
Mr Ebiaridor said ” Lo and behold, I have been into the field today with HYPREP, I have gone to several sites, I feel okay because the type of pollution I see there are disturbing my nose and my eyes, but as it is now I have seen for myself that work is going on.
“It may be slow but something is going on, they say a journey of miles starts with a step. This step I think is in the right direction.
“HYPREP, may not be as what we all expect it to be, but if we put our hands together, we will ensure that HYPREP gets to where we want them to be.
Also Read: FG begins implementation of SFTAS programme in 33 states- AGF
Mr Ebiaridor who also commended the workers at various sites of the lot said the process is still encouraging despite seldom interruptions by rain.
He said the work may be slow ” but we must put our hands together to ensure that this process moves faster”
“I advise HYPREP to be more community engaged. There should be more interaction with the communities, just as what you have done with Civil Society Groups, and if they have challenges, they should liaise with civil society groups, we can champion some of these challenges for them and see how we can get the best out of this”
Mr. Ebiaridor called on other groups who are still in doubt of the ongoing remediation process in Ogoni land to liaise with HYPREP, civil society groups that have current information of the process, extract updated informations from newsmen that are conversant with the remediation process or visit the sites instead of feeding on rumours of non-implementation of remediation processes on the impacted sites in Ogoni land.
Also, Mr Ibrahim Idris, representative of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center, Abuja said ” what I saw from what has happened here today, we never believed HYPREP has gone to the level they are.
“We are one of the people agitating to see what HYPREP has been doing and the level they have gotten to.
Also Read: Herdsmen stab farmer in Rivers Community
“One of the challenges I think HYPREP has faced is the issue with the community people, they are giving them head-off in showing them the land where they will start remediation. But at first, we thought HYPREP were the ones not working.
“I am not applauding them, but I really need to appreciate them for what they have done.”
On his part, HYPREP communication officer, Kpobari Nafo said HYPREP is not relenting in the actualization of the clean-up project.
“We have given the assurance to Ogoni people that HYPREP is here for quality work and to ensure that whatsoever UNEP has laid down as guidelines and standards, we are going to adhere strictly to those standards to ensure that the work that will be done as remediation in Ogoni land is done to the best international standard”
