HYPREP IS CONTRIBUTING TO NATIONAL PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT -PC ZABBEY
The Federal Government, through the implementation of the various projects of the Ogoni Cleanup programme, is demonstrating a strong commitment to national peace and the development of Ogoni.
Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), made this assertion at a two-day training on Mechanism for Alternative Dispute Resolution, (ADR) and Other Peacebuilding Techniques for Community Leaders in Ogoni which was held in Port Harcourt, noting that through the ongoing environmental restoration effort, potable water provision, livelihood restoration, public health interventions, and the Ogoni Power Project, the Project is contributing to national peace and development.
Prof Zabbey explained that by improving the living conditions in communities and creating new opportunities for young people, HYPREP is reducing the social pressure that often fuels conflict, stating that the Project is proud of this service to the Ogoni people and the nation.
Describing traditional leaders and stakeholders as peacebuilders and guardians of community harmony, the PC maintained that the workshop will strengthen their capacities and reinforce the Ogoni Dialogue Process, which HYPREP continues to support in line with its mandate on peacebuilding.
Prof Zabbey added that HYPREP is actively promoting ADR alongside other mechanisms across its project sites and other areas of operation aimed at fostering unity, fairness, mutual respect and faster dispute resolution, stressing that these are qualities necessary for Ogoni’s future. He noted that the Hon. Minister of Environment and Chairman of the HYPREP’s Governing Council, Balarabe Abbas Lawal tagged in post is disposed to promoting peace and stability across Ogoni communities and HYPREP project sites.
Furthermore, the PC charged Ogoni leaders to be mindful of their actions, words and body language, as what they say or do can either promote peace or fan the embers of conflict
Continuing, he stated thus:
”We must always ask ourselves: Is my position on this matter in the people’s interest? Does it promote unity and progress? Will it enhance development?”
Prof. Zabbey assured that the Project is working tirelessly in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the accelerated implementation of the Ogoni Cleanup programme and ensure that its benefits reach the grassroots where they are needed most.
Stressing the need for leaders and stakeholders in Ogoni to explore communication and trust options to prevent disputes from degenerating into violence, the PC charged that it was time all Ogonis united for development, leaving behind perceptions that do not serve collective progress.
Similarly, Prof Chioma Daisy Onyige, Director, Centre for Peace and Security Studies, University of Port Harcourt, said the workshop is a strategic platform aimed at strengthening the capacity of traditional institutions and community leaders to sustain peace, foster dialogue and promote non-adversarial engagements in the implementation of the Ogoni Cleanup Programme.
Prof. Onyige noted that Ogoni’s leadership structure commands deep respect and legitimacy, and strengthening their capacity in ADR methods such as mediation, negotiation, dialogue, facilitation, and consensus building means strengthening the foundation of peace in the region.
Participants, comprising traditional rulers and key stakeholders in Ogoni, commended HYPREP for the initiative and assured of their continuous support to the Project by providing an enabling atmosphere for the smooth implementation of the Cleanup programme in Ogoni.
