The Nigerian Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal has assured the federal government will complete all ongoing projects in Ogoniland.
Accompanied by the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, in an official working visit to Ogoniland projects, both commissioned the Bomu Community and Kporghor water facilities in Gokana and Tai Local Government Areas of Ogoniland, Rivers State.
Balarabe urged the youth and women of the communities to own and guide the project against vandalization, as they are the real beneficiaries. He also called on the communities to ensure optimal usage of the new facilities.
According to a statement issued by the Head, Press and Public Relations Unit of the Ministry of Environment, Ibrahim Haruna, the Minister 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.
He further revealed that clean, accessible and portable water is a fundamental human right and essential for public health and economic development most especially in the Ogoniland area that suffered contamination of water due to the oil spillage in the area.
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.
“The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda remains committed to environmental remediation and sustainable development in Ogoni Land, actively engaging with local communities and incorporating their feedback”, he added.
Earlier, the National Coordinator of HYPREP project, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey stated that the commissioning of the Bomu and Kporghor water facilities marks another milestone in the collective journey toward successfully implementing the UNEP
“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”, he said.
Prof. Zabbey stressed that in addition to milestones in providing potable water to impacted communities as recommended in the UNEP Report, I am pleased to report significant progress in other project thematic areas. Our land and shoreline remediation efforts have seen remarkable advancements, with several contaminated sites being rehabilitated across Ogoniland. We are strengthening healthcare facilities across the four Local Government Areas of Ogoniland.
He further disclosed that the training of 5000 Ogoni youths and women in 20 skilled areas is nearing completion and added that the Minister has graciously approved the provision skill-specific starter packs to trainees. Twenty-nine (29) Ogoni youth have also been trained in Cabin Crew.
“We have also carried out a range of capacity-building workshops, including the Procurement and Business Strategy Workshop, the Career Enhancement and Employability Workshop, and the Business Proposal Development Workshop. We plan to hold the Civic Education and Constructive Engagement Workshop for Ogoni youths”, he enumerated.
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.