Ann Chuka Port Harcourt
Seven years after the Federal Government flagged off the clean-up of Ogoni land as recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report, it yesterday commissioned a 500,000 litters capacity water scheme in Barako community in Gokana local government area of Rivers State.
Former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo flagged off the Ogoni clean-up on June 2, 2016. Provision of portable water was one of the key recommendations in the UNEP Report as an intervention and emergency measure to save the lives of the people from drinking highly contaminated water.
Recall that after a report on Nigeriagrassroot news, in Ogoniland, the Federal Government flagged off six water projects in Ogoni. Close monitoring shows that the water scheme faced series of setbacks following disagreements with the project implementers and some stakeholders in the area. However, the completion of the Barako water scheme which is part of the six projects will relief the acute water problems in the area.
The Permanent Secretary federal ministry of environment and the Acting Chairman of HYPREP Governing Board, Ibrahim Yusufu, said, the water scheme will serve many communities in Ogoniland and also improve their health. Yusuf stated this during the commissioning of the 500,000 litres capacity portable water project at Barako community in Gokana local government area of Rivers State, executed by the HYPREP.
He said, the ministry of environment made deliberate efforts to recover lost grounds and ensure the delivery of emergency intervention projects in line with the recommendation of UNEP report on environment. He assured Federal Government’s commitment to executing the Ogoni clean-up in line with the United Nations Environmental Protection (UNEP) report.
He said, “the ministry is fervent, committed to expedite efforts in delivery the rest of four slots of emergency water intervention projects before end of year”
He said, it has become exigent to find lasting solutions to challenges of theft and incessant sponsored agitations which he said have over the years encumbered delivery of emergency livelihood support projects. Meanwhile, HYPREP Coordinator and other stakeholders have called for an end to the re-pollution of the environment.
Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, noted that there was need to end oil theft and illegal refining to make the Ogoni clean-up and remediation project successful. He said the completion and commissioning of the Barako Water Scheme is a further affirmation of the commitment of the Federal Government through HYPREP to the full implementation of the UNEP Report.
While commemorating with the World Mangrove Day celebrated 26th of every month, Zabbey informed that HYPREP will commence the training of 90 youths and women in mangrove nursery and restoration, to leverage livelihood opportunities in shoreline clean-up and mangrove restoration.
He said: “As we know, these projects entail significant economic resources, and the determination to protect and own them is definitely the path to maximizing the benefits. On this note, I appeal to you to shun acts that will truncate the project cycle and affect its timely completion.
“Communities should reciprocate the Federal Government’s efforts in bridging the development gap in Ogoniland by protecting and securing these facilities from vandalism and sabotage. On our part, HYPREP will continue to provide a robust, accountable, and transparent stakeholder engagement interface to identify and address potential issues that would impede the successful implementation of the projects.
“We will continue to revise and improve our strategy to enhance inclusivity, community ownership, and the participation of stakeholders. We will not fail to mention that the issue of re-pollution occasioned by oil theft and illegal oil refineries must be collectively tackled to guarantee the successful clean-up of Ogoniland. Community leaders and all stakeholders must be deliberate in stemming the overarching impact of this menace on the environment, economy, and health”.
He, therefore, thanked stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring that the project was successfully executed.
Photo Credit”: Ann Chuka
