NASS summons Minister, Perm Sec over Environmental Pollution, Land Degradation in Ogoniland 

By Fatima Saka

The Senate and House of Representative joint committee on Host Community has summoned the Minister of Environment, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment over environmental pollution and land degradation observed in the Niger Delta.

The senate and House Representation made this summon on Tuesday in Abuja at the National Assembly premises.  

The chairman of the committee, Sen. Bio Degi-Eremienyo, representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, expressed that the minister has no choice than to turn up because the call is of the interest of the constituents and the people that they are representing.

He also noted that the summon will also help to clarify the state of the Hydrocarbon pollution remediation project in Ogoni land.

He lamented that, “This is not the first time, the minister of Environment is refusing to act on the invitation of National Assembly,” adding that the improvement of land degradation in Niger-Delta is not satisfactory.

He further emphasized that with the passage of Petroleum Industry Act, it is expected that it will make significant improvement in the activities to pollution control and to achieve cleaner environment in the Niger-Delta.

Going on further, the chairman said that this wasn’t the first time that an extension of invitation had been sent to the Board, the trustees, and also the project coordinator of HYPREP.

The Senate and House of Representatives, came to resolution that the minister and permanent secretary should be summoned and served bench warrant. 

The house added that the reason for the session was because of the Ogoni cleanup project.