The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has emphasised strict compliance with technical standards as it commenced the Phase 3 Water Supply Project aimed at expanding access to safe drinking water across Ogoni communities.
Speaking at the kick-off meeting recently, according to the post shared on Friday, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, warned contractors handling the project to follow approved designs and specifications, stressing that quality delivery remains non-negotiable.
He disclosed that the Project Management Office will subject all construction materials to rigorous assessment and approval before deployment to project sites, in order to guarantee durability and safety.
Prof Zabbey noted that the water intervention aligns with HYPREP’s broader mandate to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on the remediation of the Ogoni environment.
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According to him, the provision of potable water is a critical component of restoring livelihoods and improving public health in communities impacted by decades of hydrocarbon pollution.
He further assured contractors of a peaceful and enabling working environment, citing strong community ownership and support for the Ogoni Clean-up Programme. This, he said, would allow for timely execution of the projects within the stipulated one-year contract period.
Also speaking at the event, the Joint Venture Support Lead for HYPREP at Renaissance Africa Energy Company, Engr. Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to collaborating with HYPREP to deliver sustainable water solutions to Ogoni. He described the initiative as a vital step towards addressing long-standing water challenges in the area.
The Phase 3 Water Supply Project is expected to deliver potable water to at least 14 communities across Eleme, Tai, Khana and Gokana local government areas. Beneficiary communities include Aleto in Eleme; Ban Ogoi and Gbaken in Tai; Baen, Duburo, Pue, Sii, Kaani Babbe, Betem, Luawii, Wiiyakara and KaBangha in Khana; and Yeghe in Gokana.
With more than 42 Ogoni communities already benefitting from earlier phases of the water programme, the latest phase brings HYPREP closer to its goal of extending clean water infrastructure to additional and hard-to-reach settlements across Ogoniland.
