By: Felix Ikpotor
Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reiterated its commitment to providing potable water in Ogoniland, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on the Ogoni Environment.
Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, stated this in a message to mark the World Water Day.
He said this year’s theme: “Water and Gender”, with the campaign slogan, “Where Water Flows, Equity Grows”, succinctly reflects HYPREP’s noble commitment to go beyond the UNEP recommendation of providing water solely to oil-impacted communities.
Zabbey said HYPREP is working hard to deliver potable water to all Ogoni communities, adding that the theme reinforces and aligns with the Project’s stance that; “water is a fundamental human right, and ensuring access to potable water in Ogoni communities is sacrosanct”.
The project coordinator stated: “With a feeling of equality and inclusivity, we are implementing this thematic component of the Ogoni Cleanup Programme. To date, we have successfully provided potable water to over 43 communities in Ogoni.
” We are also advancing this effort with the start of our Phase 3 water projects, which will benefit an additional 17 communities in Ogoni, while the windmill-powered water projects in less populated communities in parts of Khana LGA are progressing steadily”.
He said in the coming weeks, the K-Dere Water Project, which is at over 99% complete, will be commissioned for use even as work continues on other water projects across Ogoni.
With these, he noted that HYPREP is on course to meet Sustainable Development (SDG) Goal 6- ensuring the availability of sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Ogoni communities by 2030.
”We reaffirm our commitment to providing water that meets the highest standards. To ensure the sustainability of these water projects, we have adopted a joint management model involving HYPREP, communities, the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, and the Rivers State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RSSTOWA),” he informed.
The statement also said HYPREP has established the Water Consumers’ Association in Nchia, Eleme, and, in collaboration with Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), conducted training in other communities.
Zabbey said he strongly believes that a sustainable water supply begins with community ownership, support, and protection of the HYPREP water facilities within their own areas, reiterating the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal’s call for communities to continue to assume responsibility for safeguarding HYPREP water facilities.
