Satisfied with the significant milestone the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has recorded in the Ogoni Cleanup programme, the Ogoni Mothers Union led by Chief (Mrs) Priscilla Vikue, has passed a vote of confidence on the Project Coordinator, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey.
Chief (Mrs) Priscilla Vikue who Spoke during the group’s visit to the Project Coordination Office(PCO) today in Port Harcourt, said the Project Coordinator has made Ogoni Mothers proud through the commitment and dedication he has shown in the implementation of the Cleanup programme, namely, the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, the Ogoni Power Project, remediation-shoreline and soil, Mangrove restoration, Provision of potable water, youth empowerment and capacity development, livelihood intervention and business support initiatives for women, peace building, educational grants among others.
They commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal for the confidence reposed in the Project Coordinator, assuring him of their continuous support.
Meanwhile, Professor Zabbey has reiterated HYPREP’s commitment to increasing women participation in the Project from 40% to 45% as part of its policy of inclusivity. He stated that the Project is accelerating all ongoing projects and informed that additional 4 water schemes will be commissioned this July by the Hon. Minister of Environment.
Professor Zabbey mentioned that HYPREP will this year continue its education support programme for Ogoni undergraduate and postgraduate students, while training will be carried out in high demand skill areas for youths and women in commercial diving, underwater welding, fullstack development and GIS.
Already 100 Ogoni youths and women each are undergoing training in Seafaring and Creative Arts. All this, he said are aimed at changing the socio-economic landscape of Ogoni. He further informed the visitors of the ongoing Socio-Economic Study of Ogoni. It is expected that the study will produce the socio-economic blueprint for the development of Ogoni beyond the cleanup and drive policy direction of the Project and urged the women to participate in the process.
He expressed delight with the visit of the Ogoni Mothers Union, describing it as inspiring and very significant, and announced plans for a consultative engagement for Ogoni women to enable the Project garner relevant feedback from them on the Project.
The latest visit of the Ogoni Mothers Union further speaks to the increasing stakeholder satisfaction of HYPREP’s operations in Ogoni, particularly to the extent it is meeting community expectations and delivering on its mandate.
