HYPREP COMMENCES IMO TRAINING FOR 1400 OGONI YOUTHS AND WOMEN
In a strategic move aimed at blending environmental remediation and human capacity development in Ogoni, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has commenced the training of 1400 women and youths in International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
The Batch 1 training comprising 354 participants, drawn from communities in Gokana is being conducted in Government Secondary School, Kpor. The training is part of the pre-activities and a standard protocol for the Phase 2 Shoreline Remediation and Mangrove Restoration Projects in Ogoni.
Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, Project Coordinator of HYPREP witnessed the sessions, underscoring his commitment to following through to ensuring that the training delivers maximally.
Prof Zabbey said the gesture is in line with HYPREP’s objective to build local capacity in environmental management. He noted that the Faculty of Vocational Studies, one of the faculties in the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), when operational will further continue the training of Ogoni youths and Nigerians in various vocational skills.
This, he added will consolidate concluded and ongoing high demand skills the Project is providing for the teeming youths and women of Ogoni, some of which are Commercial Diving/Underwater Welding, Mud logging, GIS, Rope Access, Cyber Security, Full-stack development, Mechatronics, Seafaring, Creative Arts, Aviation, among others.
Furthermore, the PC maintained that the skills acquired and opportunity to work on the various HYPREP projects are significantly contributing to capacity development, creating jobs, and boosting local economy.
PC Zabbey is elated at the number of females participation in the training, an indicator he noted, speaks to the Project’s policy of inclusivity. The policy is also extended to persons living with disabilities who are benefiting from Project programmes, including the ongoing training of 300 of them in 5 skill sets, he added.
He urged the trainees to take the training seriously given its prospects beyond the Ogoni Cleanup Programme, and prioritise safety. By this, the PC said they would be contributing to increasing the Project’s record of over 9 million man-hours without fatalities.
Similarly, Prof Zabbey, stressed that the Project is on a transformative journey, and called for collective efforts towards maintaining the gains of the Ogoni Cleanup Programme. In line with this, he hinted that the Project will be collaborating with the Green Frontiers (the 32 Environment Clubs set up by HYPREP in Secondary Schools in Ogoni) to set up nurseries for some (near extinct) economic trees to encourage tree planting in the region.
Meanwhile, Prof Zabbey, today, visited the K-Dere Water Facility and the Transmission Sub-station of the Ogoni Power Project in Bodo-City in Gokana LGA, respectively. The visit was to assess the level of work on the projects. The K-Dere water facility is ready for commissioning, while gantries are being erected at the Bodo Transmission Sub-station.
