A group,Ogoni Liberation Initiative, OLI, has submitted an official letter to the office of the Minister of Environment,Balarabe.A. Lawal in Abuja, demanding his immediate resignation over the cleaning project of Ogoniland in Rivers state.

Its President/CEO,Dr. Fabeke Douglas,in a statement made available to The Guardian in Abuja, stated that this demand is based on more disturbing findings regarding the management of the Ogoni Clean-up project.

Douglas said, “Our investigations have revealed, in addition to the existing court injunction on the fraudulent variation cost,N22 billion contract was awarded for the assessment/characterization of contaminated soil in Ogoni to a company that does not meet the required qualification and technical capacity.

According to the OLI President, N28billion was said to be expended on water projects that remain non-functional, commissioned by the Minister, while accumulated tax refunds were deducted from contractors but cannot be properly accounted for.

“The National Assembly committee report in our possession indicating that over N341billion is unaccounted for out of N900billion  was  received for the project, and it’s now evident that the clean-up has been grossly mismanaged, looted, and rendered ineffective, with little or no tangible impact on the lives of the people.”

He therefore maintained that the continued stay of the Minister of Environment in office is causing further damage to the credibility and objectives of the project.
“As an organization, we are also engaging with UNEP officials to seek further clarification on other international reports relating to the clean-up.”

The CEO argued that the manner in which the Nigerian Government has continued to respond to Ogoni issues on all fronts is totally unacceptable, saying, “We are hopeful that our findings will culminate in a comprehensive and inclusive report that will determine the next course of action ,one that guarantees total justice and freedom for the people.”