…As FG inaugurates water projects
By Obiabin Onukwugha
The United Nations has expressed satisfaction with the ongoing environmental remediation and restoration project in Ogoni, Rivers State, being executed by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
UN representative in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, expressed the satisfaction on Tuesday at a water project inauguration event in Beeri community, Khana local government area and Bunu community in Tai LGA, respectfully.
In his speech, Fall noted that UN has closely monitored the remediation project in Ogoni, stating that UN is in solidarity with the federal government and Ogoni people in the ongoing cleanup.
He commended Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, for allowing the UN to be part of the delegation, and the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for supporting the success of the project.
“HYPREP came as result of the recommendation of the United Nation on the pollution in Ogoni land. We want to see how UN can step up with technical assistance. You are not alone in this attempt to mitigate the impact of the pollution and restoration of livelihood of the people of Ogoni,” he said.
Inaugurating the water project at Beeri, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, noted that the completed project was a testament of the commitment of the federal government in the smooth implementation of the recommendations of the report of United Nations Environmental Project (UNEp).
Lawal said: “I am very happy to commission this project today. It is a show of our commitment to the remediation of Ogoniland. We thank President Bola Tinubu for committing to the remediation of Ogoni environment as recommended by UNEP.
Related Posts
“It is a beacon of hope for our people who have lived years of degradation in the environment. We are not only remediating polluted sites, we are also ensuring healthcare, good drinking water and improving the livelihood of the people.
“The livelihood is to improve the quality of lives here through skill training. HYPREP and the people should sit together to improve on the issues of training, because it is key. The two water projects are just part of what we are trying to do. This is to show that we are doing well.”
The Minister and his team later inspected remediation work on Lot 2, Ogale Community in Eleme LGA, Ogoni Specialists’ Hospital, the Centre of Excellence, Planting of Mangroves, amongst others.
Earlier in his remarks, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarine Zabbey, said the completed projects demonstrates agency’s commitment to completing all the projects in the area.
Zabbey noted that the occasion proves that HYPREP is making progress in the clean up of Ogoni, adding that over 100 projects are at advanced stage of completion.
He also stated that HYPREP has planted 1.3 million seedlings in its mangrove restoration project, adding that Periwinkles, crabs and oilstars are begining to return the seas.
Prof Zabbey further explained that the Beeri water facility, with a combined tank capacity of 900,000 liters, will serve seven communities.
Similarly, he said, the Bunu facility, with a capacity of 850,000 liters, will supply potable water to three communities, adding that access to clean water is a fundamental human right in sync with UN SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and that HYPREP is proud to deliver these critical infrastructures to Ogoni communities.
“This commissioning ceremony also proves that HYPREP is making significant progress in the Ogoni cleanup implementation process. We remain focused on meeting set timelines for project completion. Across Ogoniland, over 100 HYPREP projects are at the advanced stages of completion. These projects include water facilities, the Buan Cottage Hospital, the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and the pilot mangrove restoration project. We are happy to report that the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration construction is 79% completed”, the HYPREP boss added.
