FG commissions water projects in Ogoni Obinna Nwaoku, Port Harcourt

The Federal Government has taken a significant step towards restoring the environment and improving the lives of the people of Ogoni, Rivers State.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, commissioned water projects completed by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoni.

The commissioning ceremony, which took place in Beeri, Khana Local Government Area, and Bunu community, was attended by a team of dignitaries, including the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Mommoh, the Director General, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, Chief Emeka Woke, the Chairman of National Agency for Great Green Wall, Sen. Magnus Abe, the Chairman, House Committee on Host Community, Hon. Dumnamene Dekor,, Sen Bari Mpigi, the Senator Representing Rivers South-East at the National Assembly, UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall others.

The water projects are part of the ongoing cleanup of Ogoni, which has been plagued by environmental pollution due to oil spills and other human activities.

The commissioning of the water projects is a testament to the federal government’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of the United Nations Environmental Project (UNEP) report.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Lawal emphasized the importance of the project, stating that it demonstrates the government’s commitment to providing clean water and improving the health and well-being of the people of Ogoni.

“It is a beacon of hope for our people who have lived years of degradation in the environment. We are not only remediating polluted sites, we are also ensuring healthcare, good drinking water, and improving the livelihood of the people,” he said.

“The livelihood is to improve the quality of lives here through skill training. HYPREP and the people should sit together to improve on the issues of training, because it is key.

“The two water projects are just part of what we are trying to do. This is to show that we are doing well.”

Meanwhile, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarine Zabbey, said the completed projects demonstrate HYREP’s commitment to completing all the projects in the area.

Zabbey noted that the occasion proves that HYPREP is making progress in the clean-up of Ogoni, adding that over 100 projects are at the advanced stage of completion.

Meanwhile, the United Nations representative in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, noted that the body has closely monitored the remediation project in Ogoni, adding that the UN is in solidarity with the Federal Government and Ogoni people.

Fall said: “HYPREP came as a result of the recommendation of the United Nations on the pollution in Ogoni land. We want to see how UN can step up with technical assistance. You are not alone in this attempt to mitigate the impact of the pollution and restoration of livelihood of the people of Ogoni.”

He commended the Minister for allowing the UN to be part of the delegation, and the state governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, for supporting the success of the project.