The Federal Government, through the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has continued to demonstrate keen commitment towards the effective implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report especially in the provision of potable water to Ogoni with the commissioning of 2 additional water schemes in Beeri, Khana LGA and Bunu, Tai LGA.
The Beeri water facility which will reticulate water to 7 communities, has a combined tank capacity of 900,000.00 litres, while the Bunu facility with a capacity of 850,000 litres will supply potable water to 3 communities in the area.
Performing the commissioning, yesterday, in Beeri, Khana, LGA, the Honourable Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said the gesture is in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to the restoration of Ogoniland and a reaffirmation of its pledge to environmental sustainability and the wellbeing of communities affected by oil pollution.
”The provision of potable water to these communities is a critical step towards improving public health, reducing water borne diseases and enhancing the overall quality of life
”It also signifies a renewed commitment to ensuring that the people of Ogoni reap the full benefits of environmental remediation efforts.
”We will continue to ensure that communities have access to clean, safe and sustainable drinking water. With this initiative, we are not just commissioning infrastructure but restoring hope and dignity to communities long deprived of this essential resource” He stated.
While appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to environmental sustainability and restoration of Ogoni, noting that his leadership has ensured that the recommendations of the UNEP report are expedited to the tangible benefits of the Ogoni people, the Minister also commended the management of HYPREP under Professor Nenibarini Zabbey and the development partners for their commitment to the actualization of these projects. He urged the communities to own the projects by protecting them.
The Hon. Minister assured that the Project is equally attending to other critical needs such as healthcare, education and economic empowerment to ensure a sustainable future for the people of the region, adding that HYPREP will continue to deliver on its mandate efficiently, ensuring transparency, accountability and community involvement in the remediation processes.
Earlier, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, Project Coordinator of HYPREP said the water commissioning is a prove that the Project is making significant progress in the implementation of the Ogoni cleanup programme.
Professor Zabbey, reeled out the significant milestones recorded across the Project’s other thematic areas, viz the planting of over 1 million mangroves, 79% completion rate of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), 30.8% achieved in the shoreline project, and public health interventions with the the comprehensive health impact study expected to begin in the next quarter of this year. Others are the livelihood programmes among which is the scholarship grants to 300 Ogoni postgraduate students and the peacebuilding efforts aimed at fostering dialogue, reconciliation and community engagement among others.
The PC stressed that the Project is working to ensuring the timely and efficient execution of projects, reaffirming the Project’s core value of transparency and accountability in the implementation of the recommendations of the UNEP report.
Dignitaries at the event including the Honourable Minister of Regional Development Engr Abubakar Momoh, The UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, His Excellency Mohamed Fall, Distinguished Senator Barinada Mpigi, Senator Representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Rt. Hon. Dumnamene Dekor, Member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency and representative of the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development all spoke glowingly of HYPREP’s efforts.
Among other top dignitaries that graced the commissioning were the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ogoni Trust Fund (OTF), Chief Dr Mike Nwialaghi, members of GC, Chairman of the National Agency of the Great Green Wall, Distinguished Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, and the DG OF NOSDRA, Chief Emeka Woke. The Honourable Minister had earlier paid a visit to the palace of His Majesty, King (Dr) T.Y Suanu Baridam, Gbenemene Ancient Bangha Kingdom, Khana LGA.
The Honourable Minister and his entourage also visited other HYPREP projects including the remediation sites in Ogale, 100 bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital in kpite, Tai, the CEER in Wiiyaakara and the mangrove restoration site in Bomu, where they planted symbolic mangroves.
HYPREP has hinted of completing and commission more water projects this year, in line with its mandate to provide potable water to Ogoni.
