Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The federal government has handed over Ogoni clean-up project sites to contractors, saying that the developmental projects would continue to impact positively on the socio economic development of the area
Ibrahim Haruna, Head, Press and Public Relations Unit, Federal Ministry of Environment disclosed this in a press release on Monday.
He said the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Ibrahim Yusufu, FCA, officially flagged- off the Water Projects and sites handover ceremony to the contractors in Ogoniland, Rivers State..
The press release said projects commissioned by the Permanent Secretary include the Barako Portable Water Scheme which has storage capacity of 500 cubic metres of clean water, as it is expected to provide free, safe and quality water to all households in Ogoni and its environs.
“The Permanent Secretary said the commissioning of this type of projects was the second under the six-lot projects in the first phase of Emergency water intervention for Ogoni Communities,” Haruna stated
“Permit me to state that while efforts are being intensified to cover more milestone in the HYPREP implementation framework, stressing that, it has become exigent to find lasting solutions to challenges of theft/vandalization of projects and incessant sponsored agitation which over the years encumbered the procurement process and effective delivery of emergency and livelihood support projects in the area”
“He further explained that a part from the remediation process, the Livelihood programme was aimed at providing portable and accessible water to the Ogoni community and ensuring the provision of other amenities to cushion the effect of the pollution as the Ministry has put more efforts in 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 another 14 portable water systems to cover 52 communities and to fast-track the other aspect of the livelihood programme.
“In his remarks, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ogoni Trust Fund Incorporated, Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Dr. Nwielaghi Barieenee Michael, advised the people in the area to always channel their grievances through the right channel not HYPREP as a whole.
The ministry’s spokesman said the Ogoni community appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the developmental project which would strengthen economic development in the area.
He said with the projects, the communities promised that youth restiveness in the area is now over, while thanking the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari for fulfilling the promise his administration took to Ogoniland in 2016
“HRM, King Dr. Suanu T. Y. Baridam, Gbenemene, Bakana Kingdom, and Spokesman to the Ogoni Specialist Hospital thanked HYPREP and the Project Manager for making this project possible for the Ogoni people in record time.
“Speaking further, he wanted to see HYPREP deliver more projects that are community oriented and provision for job opportunities to our Youths in Ogoniland.
“Also speaking, HRM. King Foetus Bagia, said they felt honoured to have the Federal Permanent Secretary in Ogoni land.
The monarch said the project is the highest and largest project in Ogoniland for over 7 years, “so Ogoni people are saying thank you as over 52 box community have benefited from this project”.
As a mark of appreciation, the Permanent Secretary was decorated with a wrapper which signified blessings by the over 120 years old monarch.
Sites were also handed over to contractors whose contracts were earlier approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of the immediate past administration.
