The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to restore Ogoni land for the development of the people, saying this is perhaps the most strategic approach to implement the programmes of the United Nations Environment Programme.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, asserted this during the commissioning of newly completed water facilities in Ogoni communities—Bodo, Uegwure-Boue, Taabaa, and Eteo—covering Gokana, Khana, Tai, and Eleme LGAs of Rivers State.

Lawal emphasised that access to clean water is a fundamental human right and called on residents to take ownership of the facilities to ensure sustainability, while thanking the efforts of HYPREP, partners, traditional leaders, youths, and civil society for making the project a success.

The Minister also applauded the Director General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Innocent Barikor, for his role in promoting environmental sustainability in the country, saying he has been doing well as an Ogoni son.

Earlier, Prof. Barikor expressed his appreciation to the Minister of Environment for his commitment towards the cleanup of the area, adding, “We are the beneficiaries of these projects, and Ogoni people are very appreciative of these good things. We appreciate those who have contributed to who we are.”

“We will continue to have the name of the Minister in the annals of the history of our dear community,” he said, while describing the Project Coordinator for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Nennibarini Abbey, as a game changer.

“The Coordinator has been able to strategically place and coordinate biodiversity reclamation and restoration, and of course, this has also gone with improving the livelihood of the people,” he added.

“We have never had it so good before, and we believe if we continue to have him at the helm of affairs here, we are going to have more and more of these projects that are critical to the livelihood of Ogoni people.”

He therefore urged the people to treasure and protect the projects, saying, “They belong to us, and we must be committed to protecting them. We are confident in the leadership of the communities on these, to take ownership of these projects.”