UN commends FG, HYPREP on Ogoni cleanup, aquatic life returning to Ogoni creeks—PC, Zabbey

United Nations has scored the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, high in the ongoing Remediation of polluted Ogoni environment. This is as the FG has commissioned water projects completed by HYPREP in Ogoni in the ongoing cleanup of the area. The water projects were commissioned by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, in Beeri, Khana Local Government Area and Bunu community in Tai LGA, Rivers State. In the team were the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Mommoh, the Director General, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, Chief Emeka Woke, the Chairman of National Agency for Great Green Wall, Sen. Magnus Abe, the Chairman, House Committee on Host Community, Hon. Dumnamene Dekor,, Sen Bari Mpigi, the Senator Representing Rivers South-East at the National Assembly, UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall others.
Speaking at the commissioning of the water projects, the United Nations Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, noted that the UN has closely monitored the remediation project in Ogoni, adding that it is in solidarity with the federal government and Ogoni people. Fall said “HYPREP came as result of the recommendation of the United Nation on the pollution in Ogoni land. We want to see how UN can step up with technical assistance. You are not alone in this attempt to mitigate the impact of the pollution and restoration of livelihood of the people of Ogoni.” He commended the Minister for allowing of the UN to be part of the delegation, and the state governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, for supporting the success of the project.
The team had inspected remediation work on Lot 2, Ogale Community in Eleme LGA, Ogoni Specialists’ Hospital, The Centre of Excellence, Planting of Mangroves. However, commissioning the water project at Beeri, the Minister of Environment, Lawal, noted that the commissioning of the water project was a testament of the commitment of the federal government to smooth implementation of the recommendations of the report of United Nations Environmental Project. Lawal said: “I am very happy to commission this project today. It is a show of our commitment to the remediation of Ogoniland. We thank President Bola Tinubu for committing to the remediation of Ogoni environment as recommended by UNEP. It is a beacon of hope for our people who have lived years of degradation in the environment. We are not only remediating polluted sites, we are also ensuring healthcare, good drinking water and improving the livelihood of the people. The livelihood is to improve the quality of lives here through skill training. HYPREP and the people should sit together to improve on the issues of training, because it is key.
“The two water projects are just part of what we are trying to do. This is to show that we are doing well.” Meanwhile, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarine Zabbey, said the completed projects demonstrates HYREP’s commitment to completing all the projects in the area. Zabbey noted that the occasion proves that HYPREP is making progress in the clean up of Ogoni, adding that over 100 projects are at advanced stage of completion. He stated that as at today HYPREP has planted 1.3 million seedlings in its mangrove restoration project, adding that Periwinkles, crabs and oysters are beginning to return the seas.