In line with its commitment to the full implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on Ogoni Environment, the Federal Government has commissioned four (4) additional water projects in Ogoni land.
The water projects were located in Bodo, Uegwere-Boue, Taabaa and Eteo in Gokana, Khana and Eleme LGAs respectively.
Commissioning the gigantic water projects in Bodo, the Minister of Environment and Chairman of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) Governing Council, Balarabe Lawal, urged the communities to, working with HYPREP, own and safeguard the facilities against vandalism, stressing that the sustainability of the projects begin with community stewardship.
The Minister noted that providing water to communities underscored a shared commitment to the health, dignity and well-being of the Ogoni people.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the full implementation of the UNEP Report and the sustainable development of Ogoni as well as correct historical wrongs and deliver genuine remediation, development and renewal to affected communities.
Acknowledging the contributions of traditional and youth leaders, NGOs and Renaissance/JV partners, Minister Lawal stated that the actualisation of the projects attests to stakeholders’ collaboration and collective resolve, adding that the projects symbolise hope, equity and justice for communities that have long endured the consequences of environmental degradation.
In his remarks, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, said the commissioning was part of HYPREP’s contribution to the Renewed Hope national agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as driven by the Minister of Environment.
Professor Zabbey announced that stakeholders’ interests in and acceptability of HYPREP had remarkably increased, describing it as indicative of growing confidence and ownership of the Project by the people.
He stated that the Project was deepening stakeholders’ engagement, strengthening monitoring and evaluation, reinforcing transparency and accountability, while pushing to ensure that the benefits of the Project reached every single corner of Ogoniland.
Beyond remediation, livelihood, public health interventions, among other projects, the Project Coordinator explained that HYPREP had significantly expanded its peacebuilding efforts in line with the Project’s mandate, which had helped to foster unity, stability and collaboration across Ogoni.
The Minister of Environment also commissioned the Gokana Area Office, an initiative of HYPREP, to foster Project-Community relationships. He also presented Cook stoves to fisherfolk- a programme aimed at reducing dependence on mangroves for firewood and visited the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER).
With the latest commissioning, HYPREP is now providing portable water to 40 communities and hopes to cover more by the end of the year.
Goodwill messages from the MD/CEO of Renaissance Africa Energy Limited, Engr Tony Attah, represented by Mr Igo Weli, General Manager, Relations & Sustainable Development, Chief Hon. Kenneth Kobani, Legborsi Saro Pyagbara, Gbenemene Tai Kingdom, HM Samuel Nne, paid glowing tributes to HYPREP for the successes recorded. Also in attendance were the DG of NESREA, Professor Innocent Barikor and other eminent Ogoni sons and daughters.
