2 months ago
17 ARTICLE AD
The House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities has pledged to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure the ongoing Ogoni clean-up does not suffer setbacks due to a lack of funds.
The committee promised to liaise with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and the International Oil Companies to support the project, which it said is progressing well across communities in Ogoni land, Rivers State.
Committee Chairman Dumnamene Dekor made this statement when he led the committee members on a three-day visit to project sites undertaken by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project in Ogoni land on Friday.
Dekor said the Ogoni clean-up is a priority and must be completed to restore the environment, which was polluted due to decades of oil exploration and exploitation, and to improve the lives of the people.
He stated, “The last time I met with the Board of Trustees Chairman during the commissioning of the Bomu Water Project, we reviewed what is owed and potential sources for additional revenue.
“The funds earmarked for this project were a start-up grant and are nearly exhausted, so we will work with all stakeholders to ensure that additional funds are provided. The IOCs and NNPC Ltd will need to contribute their share, as it is their obligation to the people.
“We will collaborate with HYPREP and other stakeholders to ensure that all necessary funds are released for the project.”
Dekor commended HYPREP for its renewed commitment to the clean-up of Ogoni land and emphasised the need for alternative livelihood opportunities for the area’s youth and other residents.
He urged the youth to avoid illicit activities that could endanger them and to engage in constructive ventures that could enhance their future.
He said, “We have visited several project sites, including water projects, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and remediation sites. From what we have seen, there is a renewed vigour in delivering this project to the people of Ogoni land, and I commend the Minister of Environment, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, and his team. Having been involved with this project for a long time, I can see the difference.
“The Ogoni people have endured significant deprivation and pollution for far too long, and the ongoing efforts are the least that can be done. The project coordinator has assured us that every community will have access to water, which is encouraging.”
HYPREP Project Coordinator Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey assured that work is progressing well, with over 130 projects underway, including water projects, mangrove restoration, livelihood restoration, and soil remediation.
Zabbey noted that the project aims to develop a model not only for Ogoni but for the entire Niger Delta region.
