By: Felix Ikpotor
People of Ogoni ethnic nationality in Rivers State have expressed gratitude to the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, for providing clean and safe drinking water in the area inline with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, report.
King Suanu Baridam, the Gbenemene Bangha and acting chairman of Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers stated this during the commissioning of water schemes in Terabor, Korokoro, Kpean and Ebubu communities all in the four local councils of Ogoniland, symbolic planting of mangrove and inspection of health facilities by the Minister for Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal.
He noted that the commissioning of the water project is a significant milestone for the clean up project in Ogoniland which has rekindled the hopes of the people in the project.
“Firstly, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Minister of Environment and the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) for their tireless efforts in ensuring the successful implementation of the cleanup activities in Ogoni. This project is of utmost importance to our community, as it aims to rectify the environmental damage caused by years of oil exploration and exploitation.
“The commissioning of the water project is a significant milestone for us. Access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, and for too long, our communities have been deprived of this basic necessity. The provision of this water project will not only improve the health and well-being of our people but also restore hope and dignity to our community.
“We are also eager to showcase the progress made in the cleanup activities thus far. The cleanup of contaminated sites and the remediation of our environment are crucial steps towards the revitalization of our community. We appreciate the efforts made by HYPREP in ensuring that this cleanup is carried out efficiently and effectively.
He appealed to the minister and HYPREP to extend the water projects to other communities in the area.
“Honourable Minister, Ogoni has over 186 communities, so I’m appealing that you approve award of contracts for more water projects to get to other communities in Ogoniland,” Baridam said.
Also speaking, Gberemene of Gokana Kingdom, His Majesty, Mene Festus Babari Paag-Bagia and the Paramount ruler of Bera community, HRH, Mene Magnus Adumemene while thanking the interventionist agency for providing good water for the people of the area, urged the minister to get the people involved in all stages of the clean up exercise and to also monitor the quality of works been executed at the sites.
Bagia specifically said, “Honourable Minister, water is life and good water is good life.We thank you and also call on you to set up a monitoring team that will supervise the activities of the contractors”.
While commissioning the water schemes, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal said the federal government is committed to the full implementation of all recommendation of the UNEP report and to restore the Ogoni environment.
“In our pursuit of a sustainable and healthy future, access to clean water and robust healthcare are foundational pillars.
“The water scheme project we celebrate today is not merely a structure but a symbol of our commitment to providing clean and accessible water to the people of Ogoniland. Clean water is not a luxury but a fundamental human right and this project is a testament to our dedication to ensuring this right for all citizens.
“Additionally, the inspection of health facilities in Ogoniland underscores the importance of a robust healthcare system. The well-being of our citizens is paramount and investing in healthcare infrastructure is an investment in the prosperity and vitality of our communities.
“As we commission this water scheme and assess our health facilities let us remember that our collective efforts are building blocks for a healthier environment and a more resilient community. The challenges ahead are significant but our determination is unwavering and collectively we will overcome all future obstacles.
He promised to get the people of Ogoni fully involved in the planning and execution of the projects and to also expand the skill trainning for Ogoni youths.
The minister however, called for support of the Ogoni people to actualise the dreams of the government for the people.
“I want your support. This daily litigations, this daily protest by people who sometimes claim to be youths, we need to sit-down and look at it and resolve it,” he said.
Earlier, Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey said the agency embarked on the water project in response to the UNEP report and in fulfilment of one it’s cardinal mandates.
“One of the cardinal mandates of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, inline with the recommendations of UNEP report on Ogoniland is the provision of portable drinking water.
Giving this, HYPREP embarked on the provision of portable water in it’s Phase 1 water schemes with the award of six water contracts in March 2021. Today we are witnessing the commissioning of four water facilities to provide portable water for more Ogoni communities.
“Since last year, the Alesa Water Scheme has been supplying water to Alode, Agbonchia and Ogale in the Eleme local government area. Earlier in the year, we have commissioned the Barako water scheme in Gokana local government area which has continued to provide portable water for our people.
“The completion and commissioning of the Terabor, Korokoro, Kpean and Ebubu water schemes today are a further admission of the steadfastness of the federal government through HYPREP to the full implementation of the recommendations of the UNEP report, particularly the provision of portable water that meets World Health Organisations standard to the good people of Ogoniland,” he stated.
He explained that the Terabor water scheme has a storage capacity of 900000 litres with a reticulation distance of 80 kilometers across seven communities in Gokana namely Nweol, Lewe, Mogho, Bera, Kpor, Gbe and Giokoo, the Korokoro water facility has 500000 litres tank capacity with a reticulation distance of over 23 kilometers and reticulates the Ueken communities, the Ebubu water scheme has a tank capacity of 650,000 litres with a reticulation distance of 31 kilometers while the Kpean facility has a tank capacity of 500000 litres with a reticulation distance of 18 kilometers.
To sustain the project, Prof. Zabbey said the facilities will be run by HYPREP for three years in active collaboration with the communities, non-governmental organisations, Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development and the local government areas.
“We shall establish a consumer-based water consumers association to manage the facilities. Plans are underway to provide solar power systems as an alternative to the current diesel power supply system,” he said.
In the same vein, he said the project has commenced phase 2 of the water scheme with the award of an additional 14 contracts that will reticulate portable water across 52 communities in Ogoniland and that constructions are going on, expressing the hope that when completed, they will immensely increase access to clean water across Ogoniland and reduce the health hazards associated with the consumption of polluted water.
The HYPREP PC listed other livelihoods programmes embarked upon by the agency to include the training of 5000 Ogoni youths and women in different skills, International Maritime Organisation, IMO 1&2 training, amongst others.
