By: Felix Ikpotor
A group under the aegis of Ogoni Peoples Assembly (OPA) has vowed to resist any attempt by persons either within or outside to hijack contracts in the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, the agency responsible for the cleaning up of oil impacted sites in Ogoniland.
OPA in a statement issued by its leader and secretary respectively, Reverend Tom Probel Williams and Dr Evidence Epaabari Enoch insisted that Ogonis must have 60% consideration in the awards of contracts especially water contracts.
The group also noted that Ogonis have competent persons to man any position in the agency.
The group said: “While we thank the Hon. Minister for the giant strides achieved so far, may we quickly state that we will resist vehemently any hijack of the water rehabilitation contract and indeed any HYPREP contract awards that do not bestow right of first choice on Ogonis”.
“The Minister of Environment, Barr. Sharon Ikeazor has always insisted on due process, leading to full emergence, rejigging, reshuffling and rationalizing the leadership of HYPREP. In view of the above, an Ogoni therefore must head the Community, Media and Communications Unit as it is the norm, and the water contract must be awarded to Ogoni qualified companies, otherwise such project could as well be taken elsewhere, certainly not in Ogoni and not with Ogoni money without 60% Ogoni participation”.
“Be notified that Ogonis parade the highest crop of top civil servants in Rivers State public service, competent enough to fill all overdue openings needing replacement in HYPREP”.
“May we seize this opportunity to inform that Ogonis having suffered the highest number of oilspill incidents in the whole of the Delta averaging over 1000 spills parades the most experienced pool of vendors to deliver world class remediation as evidenced in the leading companies finishing first and tops in the last two batches of HYPREP contract awards”.
“It is only fair to allow 60% Ogoni and 40% non-Ogoni quota system in all Contract awards in HYPREP
It added: “ It is on record that in March 2021, Ogonis woke up to see that the immediate past Environment Minister Dr. Mahmood had awarded 6 water contracts worth over six billion naira and none was given to an Ogoni contractor. We’re just hearing that this current Environment Minister, Hon. Sharon Ikeazor is about awarding 14 contracts without an Ogoni contractor even when we have several over qualified companies. We will resist any such move vehemently”.
“It should be noted that this clean up project is a product of a very costly struggle that took the lives of over 2000 Ogoni people including Ken Saro-Wiwa
“ The issue of domestication, local content and capacity building is dear to our hearts and we will pursue and ensure it. Our heroes won’t die in vain”.
“OPA has reasons to question the beneficiation index of the water rehabilitation project if the booster stations can’t drive business hubs around the proximity of the project, and external economics such as water bottling factories are not factored in, to ensure sustainable jobs.
“OPA seeks sustainability and return on investment to the people”.
The group also noted that: “While we anticipate the smooth take off of the University of Environment Saakpenwa, the building of Centre of Excellence, The Integrated Waste Management Centre and relocation of HYPREP office to Bori, may we ask, Hon. Minister that you liaise with the Minister of Education and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to expedite actions on the university, the establishment of modular refineries, livelihood programs and the fast track of the works on the East West Road. We may not hesitate to occupy till we get our bidding”.
