Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Professor Nenibarini Zabbey has announced that the Project is expanding its livelihood programme following an initiative to provide local post-graduate scholarship support to Ogoni students starting this October.
Professor Zabbey made this disclosure at the Quarterly Project Coordinator’s Interactive Session with Ogoni Youths in Port Harcourt, Wednesday, stressing that the gesture is aimed at empowering Ogoni youths to ‘’pursue advanced education in fields that will benefit the Ogoni community and nation at large.’’ He explained that the scholarship initiative is designed to create a cadre of skilled professionals in line with HYPREP’s efforts to develop alternative sources of livelihood for youths who will lead Ogoniland into a green and prosperous future
The PC further disclosed that HYPREP has continued to build capacity of youths through trainings and workshops including the Procurement and Business Strategy Workshop it organized earlier this year to better position them for the opportunities in the Project.
”you must note that while opportunities abound, they may need to be improved to reach everyone immediately. The scale of the HYPREP is vast, and we must all exercise strategic patience as these opportunities are rolled out over time. Rest assured, as our work progresses, more opportunities will become available for you. Please be encouraged if you are not selected immediately on any HYPREP site. We are working to ensure that every willing and capable Ogoni youth, female or male, will eventually have the chance to contribute through fieldwork and other ways toward the success of HYPREP” the PC stated.
While assuring of HYPREP’s commitment to fully integrate Ogoni youths into the empowerment opportunities in the Project and the timely completion of contracts, Professor Zabbey charged them to continue to maintain the peace in their various communities, adding that the benefits are far-reaching as it paves the way for youth empowerment, economic prosperity and sustainable development.
He mentioned that the Project has achieved significant milestones in the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), which will be commissioned next year, provision of potable water, Ogoni Power Project, remediation contracts; Shoreline, land and mangrove restoration, construction of the Ogoni Specialist Hospital and Buan Cottage Hospital. He reiterated the commitment of the Project to carryout a comprehensive health study of Ogoniland as recommended in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report, stressing that the construction of the Ogoni Specialist Hospital and Buan Cottage Hospital are part of HYPREP’s holistic approach to improving the environment, health and wellbeing of the Ogoni people.
The well attended event which had in attendance Professor Damien-Paul Aguiyi, Director of Technical Services, Heads of Unit and Engr Ekiyokenegha Clark, SPDC/JV Project Rep, featured interactive sessions and a keynote address delivered by Dr Sobarikor Lebura, a university lecturer.
The Project Coordinator’s Quarterly Interactive Session with Ogoni Youths is part of HYPREP’s strategic policy of inclusivity and stakeholder engagement paradigm to keep its stakeholders abreast of the activities of the Project, thus providing them a platform to contribute meaningfully to the successful implementation of a fit for purpose cleanup programme.
