The federal government has officially commissioned the Barako Portable Water Scheme, boasting a substantial storage capacity of 500 cubic meters of clean water, to benefit the Ogoni Communities.
This significant project marks the second commissioning under the six-lot projects in the first phase of the Emergency Water Intervention for Ogoni Communities, aiming to provide free, safe, and high-quality water to all households in the region and its surroundings.
The Ogoni Communities expressed their gratitude, stating that the era of youth restiveness in the area is now over, and they thanked the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, for fulfilling the promise his administration made to Ogoniland in 2016.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Ibrahim Yusufu, FCA, disclosed this during the official flagging-off of Water Projects and site handover ceremony to the contractors in Rivers State.
He acknowledged the appreciation of the Ogoni people towards President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and assured them that these developmental projects would continue to positively impact the area’s socio-economic development.
However, the Permanent Secretary also highlighted the challenges faced during the implementation of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoniland, particularly theft/vandalization of projects and sponsored agitation, which have hindered the procurement process and effective delivery of emergency and livelihood support projects.
Apart from the remediation process, the Livelihood Programme aims to provide portable and accessible water to the Ogoni community and offer other amenities to mitigate the effects of pollution. The Ministry is dedicated to delivering the emergency intervention projects as part of the remediation process in Ogoniland.
The Permanent Secretary presented certificates to fourteen contractors for the construction of fourteen more portable water systems, covering 52 communities, to expedite the other aspects of the livelihood program.
The Ogoni people and the entire community expressed their excitement and appreciation to the Ministry of Environment for finally resolving their long-standing challenges.
Dr. Nwielaghi Barieenee Michael, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Ogoni Trust Fund Incorporated, HYPREP, advised the community to channel their grievances through the appropriate channels rather than targeting HYPREP as a whole.
HRM King Dr. Suanu T. Y. Baridam, Gbenemene of Bakana Kingdom and Spokesman to the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, expressed his gratitude to HYPREP and the Project Manager for the speedy implementation of the project.
He urged HYPREP to focus on delivering more community-oriented projects and creating job opportunities for Ogoni youths.
HRM King Foetus Bagia, also expressed his delight to welcome the Federal Permanent Secretary to Ogoni land and highlighted the community’s appreciation for the project.
The sites were handed over to contractors whose contracts were previously approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of the immediate past administration.
