The Federal Government says it remains resolute in remedying the decades-long environmental degradation suffered by the people of Ogoniland in Rivers State.
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, gave the assurance in Bodo City, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, during the 10th anniversary of the Ogoni Cleanup project and the official unveiling of the Ogoni Cleanup Monument on Thursday.
Lawal said President Bola Tinubu remained committed to the full completion and restoration of the Ogoni environment.
The minister declared that the monument served as a permanent symbol that the government had fulfilled its pledge and had not abandoned the Ogoni people.
“Ten years ago in this very place, the flag-off of the Ogoni cleanup took place. Today, we return to affirm that commitment. The monument stands as a permanent reminder of a promise made and a promise kept,” Lawal said.
He noted that Tinubu issued a direct marching order upon assuming office to ensure the project’s speedy conclusion, adding that ongoing operations under the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project reflected the resolve.
Highlighting tangible progress made so far, the minister pointed to physical infrastructure developments in the area, including the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, a specialist hostel, a cottage hospital, and the Ogoni Power Project.
“The Centre of Excellence is built on vast land that will attract international collaboration and research. It will place Ogoniland on the global map of environmental research and remediation efforts,” Lawal stated.
Beyond physical structures, he emphasised that significant progress had been recorded in soil and groundwater remediation, mangrove restoration, public health interventions, and the provision of potable water.
The minister described the return of aquatic life to local waterways as clear evidence of ecosystem recovery.
“One of the most important developments is the evidence of ecosystem recovery. The fish, periwinkles, crabs, and shrimps are back. This is vital for the local economy and community livelihoods,” he said.
Lawal also disclosed that four local government areas in Ogoniland recently received Ramsar accreditation certificates, an international designation recognising wetland conservation efforts which he said would open doors for global funding and support.
Announcing the flag-off of phase two of the shoreline cleanup project, Lawal noted that simple and medium-impact remediation sites had been completed, paving the way for work on complex sites alongside the second phase of shoreline cleanup.
He urged stakeholders in Ogoniland to communicate regularly with the leadership of HYPREP to achieve more development instead of engaging in divisive actions.
In his remarks, the HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, described the Ogoni cleanup as the world’s largest oil remediation project, and its mangrove restoration as the largest restoration of oil-degraded mangroves globally.
“Ten years is a significant milestone, offering all stakeholders an opportunity to reflect on where we started, where we are today, and where we are going,” Zabbey said.
He noted that as part of the Phase II shoreline cleanup flag-off, HYPREP presented International Maritime Organisation and Swim Test Certificates to 1,420 community workers, bringing the total number of direct jobs created for Ogoni youth and women to over 8,500.
Zabbey, however, appealed to shoreline communities to guard against overharvesting returning aquatic life and indiscriminate cutting of mangroves.
He warned that controlled harvesting was necessary to sustain ecological gains, even as he acknowledged that while the project had faced challenges such as community disputes, access issues, and misinformation, stakeholder cooperation had helped overcome many obstacles.
Leaders from Ogoniland who also voiced their perspectives during the ceremony included the member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dumnamene Dekor.
The lawmaker appealed to the minister to fast-track the completion and energisation of the Ogoni Independent Power Project, describing electricity as a key catalyst for regional industrialisation, development and youth empowerment.
On his part, the board chairman of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Magnus Abe, urged Ogoni leaders and residents to unite, end internal media disputes, and maximise the support extended by the President.
“Nobody can organise or strategise for us; those are things we must do for ourselves. The prosperity and development of Ogoniland cannot wait for anybody anymore. We must move together,” Abe stated.
He urged the stakeholders present to maintain constructive engagement and avoid disruptions that could delay project delivery.
“Disruption and division will only delay the benefits meant for the people. Let us choose the path of partnership, transparency, and mutual respect,” he added.
The senator representing Rivers South-East District in the National Assembly, Olaka Nwogu, called for the humanisation of HYPREP to include interventions in education, economic empowerment, and community safety to complement environmental remediation.
Speaking earlier during the third Quarterly Key Regulators and Asset Owners meeting on Ogoniland cleanup, the HYPREP boss had said the agency had surpassed UNEP recommendations in healthcare.
While noting that the quarterly meeting was in line with the project, the HYPREP boss said the meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to sit, brainstorm, and discuss successes and challenges facing the projects.
According to Prof Zabbey, the project had surpassed UNEP recommendations in some areas, especially in healthcare delivery and livelihood programmes, even as he mentioned that the project had done 100 per cent shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration in Bomu Community in Gokana LGA.
Source: punchng.com
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