The Federal Government has commissioned two additional water schemes in Beeri, Khana Local Government Area (LGA) and Bunu, Tai LGA all in Ogoni land.
The projects, a testament to the government’s commitment towards the effective implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Report was unveiled yesterday.
The Beeri water facility which will reticulate water to 7 communities, has a combined tank capacity of 900,000.00 litres, while the Bunu facility with a capacity of 850,000 litres will supply portable water to 3 communities in the area.
Performing the commissioning in Beeri, Khana, LGA, the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Lawal, said the gesture was in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to the restoration of Ogoniland and a reaffirmation of its pledge to environmental sustainability and the wellbeing of communities affected by oil pollution.
”The provision of portable water to these communities is a critical step towards improving public health, reducing water borne diseases and enhancing the overall quality of life
”It also signifies a renewed commitment to ensuring that the people of Ogoni reap the full benefits of environmental remediation efforts.
”We will continue to ensure that communities have access to clean, safe and sustainable drinking water. With this initiative, we are not just commissioning infrastructure but restoring hope and dignity to communities long deprived of this essential resource” he said.
While appreciating President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to environmental sustainability and restoration of Ogoni, the Minister commended the management of HYPREP under Professor Nenibarini Zabbey and the development partners for their commitment to the actualisation of the projects.
He therefore urged the communities to own the projects by protecting them.
The Minister assured that the Project was equally attending to other critical needs such as healthcare, education and economic empowerment to ensure a sustainable future for the people of the region, adding that HYPREP will continue to deliver on its mandate efficiently, ensuring transparency, accountability and community involvement in the remediation processes.
Earlier, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey said the water commissioning was a proof that the Project was making significant progress in the implementation of the Ogoni cleanup programme.
Professor Zabbey, reeled out the significant milestones recorded across the Project’s other thematic areas, viz the planting of over 1 million mangroves, 79% completion rate of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), 30.8% achieved in the shoreline project, and public health interventions with the the comprehensive health impact study expected to begin in the quarter of next of this year.
Others were the livelihood programmes among which is the scholarship grants to 300 Ogoni postgraduate students and the peacebuilding efforts aimed at fostering dialogue, reconciliation and community engagement among others.
The Project Coordinator stressed that the Project was working to ensure the timely and efficient execution of projects, reaffirming the Project’s core value of transparency and accountability in the implementation of the recommendations of the UNEP report.
Dignitaries at the event included the Minister of Regional Development Engr Abubakar Momoh, The United Nations (UN) Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, His Excellency Mohamed Fall, Distinguished Senator Barinada Mpigi, Senator Representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Rt. Hon. Dumnamene Dekor, Member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency and representative of the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development.
Among other top dignitaries that graced the commissioning were the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ogoni Trust Fund (OTF), Chief Dr Mike Nwialaghi, members of GC, Chairman of the National Agency of the Great Green Wall, Distinguished Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, and the DG OF NOSDRA, Chief Emeka Woke.
HYPREP has hinted the completion and commissioning of more water projects this year, in line with its mandate to provide portable water to Ogoni.
