By: Felix Ikpotor
President Muhammadu Buhari has flagged off the construction of three projects in Ogoniland, Rivers State expressing hope that the project upon completion, will spur the socio-economic development of Ogoniland, create job opportunities for artisans and enhance entrepreneurial growth amongst others.
The projects are Ogoni Power Project, Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration and 100-Bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital.
The President virtually participated in the inauguration, was performed on his behalf by the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi at Wiiyaakara, Khana Local Government Area (LGA), Rivers State, on Friday.
On the power project, the President noted that it will bring sustainability to the Potable Water Schemes, Livelihood Programme, Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, and the Specialist Hospital projects being undertaken by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
On the benefits of the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, the President said it would bring relief to those who over time have been exposed to hydrocarbon pollution and other ailments associated with the environmental pollution in the community.
He urged the Ogoni people to cooperate with the Federal Ministry of Environment, HYPREP, and the firm handling the projects.
He added that the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration will provide capacity and research opportunities to scholars within Nigeria and around the world on environmental remediation.
‘‘It will initiate studies on homegrown methods and approaches to addressing oil pollution in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country, to Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.
‘‘It is instructive to know that Ogoni clean-up is not the only project being undertaken by this administration to give the people a sense of belonging in national affairs.
‘‘This administration is constructing the Bodo/Bonny Road -a multi-billion-naira project to provide a link road to Bonny Island – host to the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Plant.
‘‘This all-important economic road passes through the heart of Ogoniland and the benefits it will bring to the local economy will be considerable,’’ he said.
The President also disclosed that approval has been given for the rehabilitation of the Ogoni axis of the East/West Road which the Bodo/Bonny Road opens into and serves as the gateway to the Oil and Gas Free Zone, Onne.
‘‘Today is special and dear to me as it reminds me of the promise I made to the Ogoni people when I came here to campaign in 2015 for the Presidential election that saw my emergence as the President of our great nation, Nigeria.
‘‘I pledged to implement the United Nations Environment Programme Report on the Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland which was submitted to the Federal Government four years earlier if elected as the President. It was a solemn pledge to my fellow citizens of Ogoni that deserves urgent economic, social, and infrastructural intervention required for a decent living,” he said.
President Buhari told the Ogoni people that contracts have been approved for the next phase of remediation of sites (medium risk sites), the training of five thousand Ogoni people in sustainable livelihood skills, and the engagement of five hundred Ogoni youths as environmental vanguards.
He commended the Minister of Environment his team at the Ministry and HYPREP for their doggedness in delivering on his instruction to as a matter of priority, deliver on the Ogoni clean-up and other key objectives of the Ministry including biodiversity and wildlife conservation, land remediation, upland and coastal erosion control.
Buhari also applauded the State Governor, Nyesom Wike for his support and particularly for the relative peace in Ogoni Land and Rivers State in general.
President Buhari further called on Ogoni people to extend same support given him to the President-Elect, Boka Ahmed Tinubu.
‘‘Your Excellency and Royal Highnesses, it is my desire that you will continue to support this administration and the incoming administration led by His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu who I am confident will consolidate the gains achieved from this project.
‘‘It is my hope that you will support the implementation of the project and utilize the benefits for the present and future generations of Ogoniland,’’ he said.
Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdulahi on his part gave an insight into the implementation of the environmental restoration project. He noted that the sustenance of the project is of top priority to the ministry.
The minister stated that the centre of excellence will receive scientist and researchers on environmental pollution from around the world to Ogoniland.
He also said 20 out of the 65 UNEP sites have been remediated while contracts for another seventeen sites have been awarded. He also said works are at various stages of completion for the six water schemes in Ogoniland and called for more corporation of the Ogoni people for the speedy completion of the project.
On his part, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Dr. Ferdinand Dumbari Giadom said the projects flag-off are intended to address the age-long agitations of the Niger Delta people which Ogoni is an integral part.
He said the Ogoni people are grateful to President Buhari for his commitment to the course of bettering their lives and environment.
In appreciation, HRM Mene Suanu Timothy Yormaadam Baridam Gbenemene, Kasimene Bangha VII of Ogoniland, on behalf of the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, presented a chieftaincy title, Gbene of Ogoni land (Mighty Eagle of Ogoni land), to President Buhari.
