By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal has commissioned the Bomu Community and Kporghor water facilities in Gokana and Tai Local Government Areas of Ogoniland, Rivers State, with a vow to complete all other outstanding projects.
Head, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Environment, Ibrahim Haruna disclosed this in a press release on Sunday.
He said the Minister of Environment was accompanied by the Minister of Niger Delta, Engr. Abubakar Momoh during the working visit.
He said Balarabe urged the youth and women of the communities to own the project and guide them against vandalization as they are the real beneficiaries of the project, calling on the communities to safeguard and ensure optimal usage of these new facilities.
“He disclosed that the completed water facilities are part of the Hydro-Carbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) which marks a significant step towards environmental restoration and sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.
“The Minister further noted that beyond providing clean and portable water, HYPREP is dedicated to soil and groundwater remediation, health intervention programs, and livelihood restoration for the affected communities..
“Earlier, the National Coordinator of HYPREP project, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey started that the commissioning of the Bomu and Kporghor water facilities marks another milestone in our collective journey toward successfully implementing the UNEP
Report on Ogoniland recommendations. Access to clean and safe water, as you know, is a fundamental human right, and today, we witness, once again, the fulfillment of this promise to the hydrocarbon-impacted communities in Ogoniland. Communities must continue to protect these facilities for common use.
“Other activities lined up for the official working visit includes HYPREP Governing Council meeting, visit to the Palace of His Royal Majesty King Suanu Baridam JP, the Gbene-Mene and Kasimene Bangha Kingdom.
“Other areas visited are HYPREP Project sites that include the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, Ogoni Centre of Excellence, the Buan Cottage Hospital and the newly commissioned Kporghor Water facility among others.
Meanwhile, Lawal and his counter part in the Ministry of Niger Delta in commemoration of the 2024 International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem have said that Mangroves are vital for coastal protection, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.
The press release said they said this at an event to celebrate the Day, where they participated in planting Mangroves in Bomu Waterfront, Ogoniland, Rivers State.
