The indigenous people of Ogoni land have been urged to protect the various interventionist projects made by the Federal Government to improve their means of livelihood.
Making this call in Bodo, the Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Lawal, while commissioning four water projects completed by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), said that President Bola Tinubu is genuinely committed to the cleaning up of polluted areas in Ogoni land, hence the importance of restoring the water supply of the people.
“The biggest victim of pollution is water. Water is the first thing that gets polluted before anything else. The whole essence of HYPREP is trying to restore water, restore the land and try to ensure a better environment.”
Access to clean and safe water is essential to basic human rights. As we commission these water projects, we are not only laying a critical foundation, but we are also reaffirming our unwavering commitment to upholding human rights.”
The Minister noted that HYPREP’s program, which includes Soil and Groundwater Remediation, HealthCare Services, and Livelihood Restoration, is in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to address issues affecting people living in environmentally affected areas, especially Ogoni land.
While calling on them to support President Tinubu’s administration, he also urged the people to protect the infrastructure that has been provided to improve their well-being and prevent it from being vandalised.
The Minister further urged the people to support HYPREP to enable it to fulfil its mandate.
Earlier in his welcome address, the HYPREP Project Coordinator, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, stated that the four new water facilities in Bodo (Gokana LGA), Eteo (Eleme LGA), Uegwere-Boue, and Taabaa communities (Khana LGA) are in fulfilment of the project’s mandate, which involves remediation of contaminated soil, groundwater and provision of portable drinking water.
Professor Zabbey explained that the ongoing Phase 1 shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration projects are 57.7 per cent and 93 per cent complete.
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While noting that the multi-species mangrove restoration efforts, which promote biodiversity recovery and fisheries enhancement, have started, and steps are being taken to designate the restored mangroves in Ogoni land as a RAMSAR Site.
He stated that the Ogoni cleanup, which is anchored in the UNEP recommendations, is built on several key thematic areas, and the commissioning of the water facilities is a symbol of the Renewed Hope, which is in line with the President’s agenda as driven by the Honourable Minister of Environment.
In his goodwill message, the Managing Director, Renaissance Africa Energy Company, Engineer Tony Attah, represented by Mr. Igo Weli, appreciated President Bola Tinubu, who, through the Minister of Environment, has supported HYPREP to deliver on its mandate.
He noted that the commissioning of the water scheme was a boost towards achieving the milestone of improving the quality of life for the Ogoni people.
The ceremony, which had in attendance Traditional and Religious leaders, women, youths and civil society groups, also witnessed the unveiling of an environmentally friendly cook stove by the Minister of Environment.
