By: Felix Ikpotor
Scores of ogoni people have benefited from the free medical outreach program of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Program, HYPREP.
Speaking at Kpite in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Dr. Marvin Deekil said the outreach is part of the agency’s effort in implementing the recommendations of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) Report on Ogoniland.
Deekil said having successfully carried out the first phase of the outreach in December, 2017, the federal government approved and released funds for the second phase because of the testimonies recorded and to show commitment towards cleaning up the Ogoni environment.
He stressed that the medical outreach is very important as it precedes the actual clean up exercise.
While reiterating the government’s commitment to the implementation of the UNEP Report, the project coordinator said already invitations is on for pre-qualification of contractors for remediation of hydrocarbon impacted sites in Ogoni and assured that the remediation exercise will be done by best and experienced hands both locally and internationally.
The Gokana-born project coordinator, called for support from all Ogonis especially the traditional institutions in the land.
Also speaking, a member of the Board of Trustees of HYPREP, Dr. Peter Medee said President Mohammadu Buhari has shown so much commitment towards implementation of the project and has put in place structures that will ensure that the clean up is done even when he leaves office as he has approved the setting up of the Ogoni Trustfund.
While urging the Tai people and Ogonis in general to embrace the program, he assured that the funds meant for the project will never be diverted.
Medee who is also the President of KAGOTE advised the Ogonis to disregard any call by some groups for the sack of the Minister of State for Environment, stressing that since the Minister for Environment took up job at the United Nations, the junior minister has shown so much commitment to the project.
Earlier, the paramount ruler of Kpite, HRH, Mene Samuel Nnee while commending HYPREP for the programme, prayed that the outreach be done periodically in all local government areas of Ogoni and expressed believe that so many persons who have been down in health will benefit from the exercise and further assured him of the support of the people.
Some of the beneficiaries, Mr. Mbugere Julius and John Akekue thanked the agency for the kind gesture and prayed that it continues.
