(L-R) Dr Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, Minister of Environment and Project Coordinator, Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project HYPREP, Dr Marvin Barinem Dekil, during the handing over of new sites for remediation process in Ogoni
From Blessing Ibunge, Port Harcourt
The Minister of Environment, Dr Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, has stated that the ongoing Ogoni remediation project is the largest in the world, assuring that the project will be executed according to United Nations Environmental Programme, UNEP standard.
The Environment Minister who stated this on Thursday during the official handover of remediation sites to contractor at Ogale, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the project be followed strictly according to recommendations as contained in the UNEP report.
Handing over nine sites out of the newly approved 36 sites to contractors at Ogale, Dr. Abubakar, warned against any form of compromising the standard designed for the project, insistng that “any contractor who is not ready to execute the jobs according to UNEP standard should leave”.
Abubakar further urged the Traditional leaders, community, to support the contractors in the effort for q clean environment. Adding, “Please support them, we cannot afford to fail”, he summed up.
Responding to questions from the journalists, the Project Coordinator, Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project HYPREP, Dr Marvin Barinem Dekil, said the agency will ensure close monitoring, quality and timely service delivery.
Dr Dekil maintained that the selected contractors are competent to for the job. He said “No stone will be left unturned to drop any errant contracting firm”.
Speaking o behalf of other contractors, Sir Mbea Eredum Charles, Managing Director Chavyn Nig Ltd, promised to carry along the youths of the land, while doing their jobs.
He also assured they will respect the laws of the land, and will deliver according to UNEP standards and specifications.
Meanwhile, the chairman of Eleme Local Government Area LGA, Barr Philip Okparaji, has regretted that no indigenous company from his LGA, won the contracts, and sort that all stakeholders in the project should meet to work out modalities for peaceful and harmonious coexistence during the remediation process.
Okparaji also solicits for inclusion of youths of his Local Government Area, who he said need be carried along, for the contractors, to do their work properly.
