Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Professor Nenibarini Zabbey has said that the Project and the Movement of the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) share the same vision which is to see an Ogoni free from pollution, poverty and discord.
Professor Zabbey made this statement at the at the MOSOP USA November 10 Commemoration held from 8th to 10th November 2024 in Kansas, USA, where he charged the group to rally round the cause of a pollution and poverty free Ogoni by supporting the cleanup programme and imbibing the spirit of brotherliness and reconciliation, setting aside differences and working together as a people towards a shared future.
While emphasizing the need for peace and unity, which he noted are necessary requirements to addressing decades of pollution and to break the circle of poverty in Ogoni, the PC urged the MOSOP USA to work hand in hand with HYPREP to accelerate the pace of the ongoing environmental restoration, livelihood restoration and the implementation of special projects all of which would ensure a legacy of healing, prosperity and sustainability.
He further enjoined members of the group to complement HYPREP’s efforts by channeling their international networks and resources, expertise and media platforms to foster growth and development in Ogoni, adding that acknowledging and supporting the progress the Project has made in the Ogoni cleanup would bolster the foundation for further success.
He reiterated the unwavering commitment of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the guidance of the Honourable Minister of Environment and Chairman of the HYPREP Governing Council, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal to the implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme Report (2011), maintaining that HYPREP is working assiduously to accelerate the cleanup in accordance with Priority 3, Deliverable 3 of the National Agenda, stressing that the actualization of these presidential directives and other initiatives of the Project require the active involvement, support and trust of all Ogonis.
Presenting the Project’s scorecard to the group, the PC explained that the about 130 Projects being carried out by HYPREP in Ogoni have been carefully designed to implement the recommendations of the UNEP on the Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland and to achieve the objectives of HYPREP as stipulated by the HYPREP Gazzette. He listed the projects to include soil and groundwater remediation, shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration, potable water provision, strengthening public health systems, sundry livelihood interventions, and the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), Ogoni Specialist Hospital and the Buan Cottage Hospital and the Ogoni Power Project, all of which are creating direct and indirect jobs for the critical mass of Ogoni youths and women.
On his part, the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) Ogoni Trust Fund, Chief Mike Nwielaghi who was also at event, presented the financial status update of the cleanup project, assuring the group that all monies meant for the cleanup are being channelled accordingly.
