The Minister of Environment, Dr Mohammed Mahmood Abubakar, on Tuesday, commissioned the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) area office in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Speaking at the event, the minister said the project office is designed to bring the activities of the agency responsible for the clean-up of Ogoniland closer to the people as it is expected to be replicated in Gokana, Eleme and Tai areas of the state.
Abubakar, who flagged off the second phase of the free medical outreach organised by HYPREP at the Zonal General Hospital in Bori, declared that the clean-up project currently ongoing in Ogoniland is part of the commitment by the Federal Government to restore all including the provision of basic amenities in the area.
He said the Federal Government was fully committed to the complete implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoniland, which is geared at restoring the livelihoods of the Ogoni people, including taking care of their health needs and provision of potable drinking water.
Also flagging off a training programme for 2,000 youths at the Eleme council secretariat in Nchia, the minister enjoined the trainees to take the exercise seriously as they will be provided skills in remediation techniques, which would be of benefit to them in the future.
“Today, we are flagging off the awareness campaign for the livelihood needs assessment programme. The needs assessment forms will be administered next week is to ensure that the training of youths is based on their desired choice of occupation and not an imposition by the government.
“The youths engaged in artisanal refining now have the choice to stop the dangerous health-threatening activity and embrace a safer occupation for their good.
“The restoration and management of the damaged mangrove vegetation is a critical activity of the project. A joint team comprising professionals from HYPREP, UNEP, NOSDRA, IOCs, MOSOP/KAGOTE and CSO have been constituted to undertake a pre-shoreline clean-up technique assessment of the mangrove sites damaged by artisanal refining and oil discharges.
“As recommended in the UNEP report, the stoppage of re-pollution from oil spills and discharges is a pre-condition for clean-up of such areas that are liable to re-pollution, otherwise it will be an exercise in futility.
He also enjoined community leaders to stand against artisanal refining and illegal oil bunkering that constitutes a threat to the remediation of the land as he noted that President Buhari is committed to seeing the clean-up exercise remains clean, ending all forms of pollution on the land.
The minister also announced that complex and semi-complex affected sites in which groundwater remediation is required have been advertised and the call for qualified companies with technical expertise is on to ensure success and promotion of local content development.
He further stated that 500 Ogoni youths across the four LGAs would be engaged to serve as special community security agents for the project
The Chairman, Board of Trustees of HYPREP, Dr Mike Nwielaghi, in his remarks noted that the occasion happening in Ogoniland is one to be delighted of, stating that funds needed for the remediation are in the process of being released, as he reassured of its judicious utilization.
Also, the Officer overseeing the HYPREP Project Coordination Office, HYPREP and Director of Operations, Prof Philip Shekwolo, said the project is committed to accomplishing its mandate in Ogoniland.
He also commended the Ogonis, particularly the youths, who he said was the strength of the clean-up exercise.
Present at the event was the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Clement Agba; the representative of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Babayaro Adoo; Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Fred Kpakol; Executive Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Hon Obarilomate Ollor; Executive Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Dr Thomas Bariere; among others.
