President Muhammadu Buhari has said upon completion, the Ogoni power project will bring sustainability to potable water schemes and livelihood programme in Ogoniland.
Buhari gave this assurance on Friday while flagging off Ogoni power project, Centre of Excellence for environmental restoration and the Ogoni specialist hospital.
The President also gave approval for the reconstruction of the Eleme axis of the East-West Road in Rivers State.
Buhari spoke virtually during the flagging off of the triad projects in Wiiyaakara, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He urged the people of Ogoni to cooperate with the government for the speedy completion of the projects.
He also stated that the Centre of Excellence would initiate studies of home-grown methods in the remediation of other impacted environments in the Niger Delta, while the power project would enhance economic development of Ogoniland.
He noted that his administration had not only established the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, to clean up the environment of the Ogoni people, but also deployed huge investment in the construction of the Bonny/ Bodo Road which will link to the East-West Road in a bid to catalyze the socio-economic development of Ogoniland.
“It is instructive to know that Ogoni clean-up is not the only project being undertaken by this administration to give the people a sense of belonging in national affairs.
“This administration is constructing the Bodo/Bonny Road – a multi-billion-naira project to link the Bonny Island – host to the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Plant. This all-important economic road passes through the heart of Ogoniland and the benefits it will bring to the local economy can only be imagined. We have also given approvals for the rehabilitation of the Ogoni axis of the East/West Road which the Bodo/Bonny Road opens into and serves as the gateway to the Oil and Gas Free Zone, Onne,” he said.
He also said the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, and the Specialist Hospital projects, would also catalyze the socio-economic development of Ogoniland and create job opportunities for artisans and enhance entrepreneurial growth.
Also, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Ogoni Trust Fund, Nwielaghi Michael, appealed to the President for more funds either as the ones they can directly solicit from donors or as additional releases to the initial $1billion by the Joint Venture Partners, promising that the project office will ensure they are delivered on time, on target and on cost.
