The Federal Government has taken steps towards improving the lives of Ogoni residents with the commissioning of four water projects in the region.

Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Lawal, emphasised the importance of these projects, which are designed to provide clean and safe water to the people, thereby improving their health and well-being.

The minister made the call while commissioning four water projects completed by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Bodo, Eteo, Uegwere-Boue, and Taabaa communities in Ogoni land.

Lawal urged the people to protect the various interventionist projects made by the Federal Government to improve their means of livelihood.

He noted that access to clean water is a fundamental human right, and the government’s efforts are aimed at ensuring that the people of Ogoni have access to this essential resource.

Lawal emphasised that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is genuinely committed to cleaning up polluted areas in Ogoni land, highlighting the importance of restoring the water supply to the people.

He noted that access to clean and safe water is essential to basic human rights, and the commissioning of the water projects reaffirms the government’s unwavering commitment to upholding human rights.

He said: “The biggest victim of pollution is water. Water is the first thing to become polluted before anything else. The essence of HYPREP is to restore water, restore the land, and ensure a better environment.

“To access clean and safe water is essential to basic human rights. Today, as we commission these water projects, we are not only laying a critical foundation, but we are also reaffirming our unwavering commitment to upholding human rights.”

The minister highlighted that HYPREP’s programme, which includes soil and groundwater remediation, healthcare services, and livelihood restoration, aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to address issues affecting people living in environmentally affected areas, especially in Ogoni land.

The minister noted that HYPREP’s programme, which includes soil and groundwater remediation, healthcare services, and livelihood restoration, is in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to address issues affecting people living in environmentally affected areas, especially Ogoni land.

While calling on them to support President Tinubu’s administration, He called on the people to protect the infrastructure that has been provided to improve their well-being and prevent it from being vandalised.

The minister further urged the people to support HYPREP, enabling it to fulfil its mandate.

Earlier in his welcome address, the HYPREP Project Coordinator, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, stated that the four new water facilities in Bodo (Gokana LGA), Eteo (Eleme LGA), Uegwere-Boue, and Taabaa communities (Khana LGA) are in fulfilment of the project’s mandate, which involves remediation of contaminated soil, groundwater and provision of portable drinking water.

Professor Zabbey explained that the ongoing Phase 1 shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration projects are at 57.7 per cent and 93 per cent completion levels.

He noted that multi-species mangrove restoration efforts, which promote biodiversity recovery and fisheries enhancement, have begun, and steps are being taken to designate the restored mangroves in Ogoniland as a Ramsar Site.

He stated that the Ogoni cleanup anchored on the UNEP recommendations, is built on several key thematic areas, and the commissioning of the water facilities is a symbol of the Renewed Hope, which is in line with the President’s agenda as driven by the Honourable Minister of Environment.

In his goodwill message, the Managing Director of Renaissance Africa Energy Company, Engineer Tony Attah, represented by Mr. Igo Weli, appreciated President Tinubu, who, through the Minister of Environment, has supported HYPREP in delivering on its mandate.

The representative commended the Minister of Environment for extending an invitation to the commissioning exercise and acknowledged the great support being given to HYPREP, which has led to significant outcomes.

He noted that the completion of the water schemes marks a major milestone in improving public health and enhancing the quality of life for the people of Ogoni land.

He also acknowledged the cooperative efforts of federal, state, and local government institutions in supporting HYPREP’s work, emphasising that continued engagement from these institutions is vital to the success and sustainability of these initiatives.