…Reiterates commitment to meeting critical needs
By: Felix Ikpotor
As a deliberate step towards ensuring that the people of Ogoni in Rivers State do not further drink from benzene-contaminated water sources as contained in the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, has built two more water facilities in the area.
The water facilities located in Beeri in Khana Local Government Area and Bunu in Tai Local Government Area of Ogoniland alongside others earlier inaugurated is expected to provide potable drinking water on a daily basis for the people of the area.
Inaugurating the water facilities in Beeri, Chairman governing board of HYPREP and Minister for Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said the inauguration of the projects underscores Federal Government’s commitment at not only providing potable drinking water but also ensuring environmental sustainability and the well-being of the communities affected by oil pollution.
The Minister who noted that contamination of water sources
due to hydrocarbon pollution has devastating consequences on the health and livelihoods of the people, commended President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to peace, environmental justice and socio-economic empowerment in Ogoniland, noting that it has brought hope for communities long affected by environmental degradation.
Lawal stated further that aside providing potable drinking water, there are many interventions planned under the comprehensive remediation efforts in Ogoniland, assuring of HYPREP’s commitment in meeting critical needs of the people.
“Let me emphasize that water projects like this is only one of many interventions planned under the comprehensive remediation efforts in Ogoniland. We remain committed to ensuring that other critical needs, such as healthcare, education and economic empowerment are addressed to create a sustainable future for the people of this region.
“Be rest assured that HYPREP will continue to deliver on its mandate efficiently, ensuring transparency, accountability and community involvement in all aspects of the remediation process,” Lawal stated.
The Minister while calling on people of Beeri and Bunu to take ownership of the facilities, he emphasized that the longevity and effectiveness of the projects depends on the collective efforts by the people in maintaining and protecting them for generations to come.
He also applauded the HYPREP Project Coordinator, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey and his team for ensuring the actualisation of the project.
Earlier in his welcome address, the HYPREP Project Coordinator, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, explained that the Beeri water facility with a combined tank capacity of 900,000 liters will serve seven communities while the Bunu facility, with a capacity of 850,000 liters, is expected to supply potable water to three communities.
Zabbey, noted that the inauguration of the facilities is a proof that HYPREP is making significant progress in the Ogoni cleanup implementation process, stating that the Project is focused on meeting set timelines for project completion.
He disclosed further that across Ogoniland, over 100 HYPREP projects are at advanced stages of completion, listing the projects to include water facilities, the Buan Cottage Hospital, the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, the pilot mangrove restoration project and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration amongst others.
“The remediation of hydrocarbon-affected sites is progressing well. The simple sites have been remediated and certified, and contaminated soil and groundwater at the medium-risk complex sites are being remediated.
“As of today, we have planted 1,279,139 mangrove seedlings as part of our efforts to restore oil-degraded mangroves in Ogoniland. Our mangrove restoration programme is ecologically sound and community-driven,” Zabbey stated.
In a solidarity speech, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mohamed Malick Fall, assured of the continued support of the organisation in ensuring that the projects meets up the UNEP recommendations through provision of technical assistance.
