The Project Coordination Office(PCO) of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), has said over 130 ongoing projects are still grappling with some challenges that are hampering the smooth clean up of Ogoniland. They include roll-out delays, community disputes, and chieftaincy tussles.
The PCO said it is leveraging the existing peace mechanism and relative cooperation from community members to ensure projects are executed.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who disclosed this during an interactive session with Ogoni religious leaders, recently in Port Harcourt, emphasised the commitment of the Federal Government to the successful implementation of the clean-up project.
Zabbey, who recognised the important role that religious leaders play in the fabric of Ogoni society, urged them to lend their voices to ensuring that Ogoni is cleaned up, amplify the message of environmental stewardship and civic education within their congregations and beyond, and use their platforms to disseminate relevant information on the progress of work.
He said: “As a project, the cautiousness of the enormity of the task before us and the moral burden of delivering on our mandate of a cleaner Ogoni environment and restoration of the livelihood of our people have continued to inspire us to do the right things. The commitment of the Federal Government to the successful implementation of the Clean-up Project remains unwavering.
“Let me inform our revered religious leaders that we have over 130 active projects ongoing in Ogoniland, which include land and shoreline remediation; mangrove restoration; potable water; construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER); Ogoni Specialist Hospital and the Buan Cottage Hospital; Ogoni Power Project and Livelihood programmes.”
Similarly, HYPREP Project Coordinator, also charged Ogoni entrepreneurs and business owners to learn about the procurement procedures and explore potential business partnerships within the Ogoni community and beyond.
Zabbey gave the charge at a Procurement and Business Strategy Workshop held in Port Harcourt to address concerns about community participation in HYPREP contract bids and to enhance the participation of Ogonis.
Zabbey said the goal of the workshop was to create a thriving ecosystem where local business interests can benefit and flourish from opportunities made available through HYPREP, as he affirmed his commitment to fostering sustainable development, empowering local communities, and building structures for peace.
“HYPREP envisions a future where the livelihoods of hydrocarbon-impacted communities are fully restored for inclusive and sustainable economic prosperity, a future where the Ogoni people also play a central role in shaping their destiny by embracing new ideas for development.
“As a community-based project, we recognize that there have been concerns within the community regarding low community participation in the procurement processes and access to business opportunities due to a limited understanding of some processes and procedures.
“We hear your concerns about delays and community quota. At the end of this workshop, we are optimistic that participants will have learned that there are specific requirements and timelines within which every procurement process must be carried out. We are here to address some of those concerns head-on and chart a new course that prioritizes community participation, transparency, fairness, and inclusivity. We will continue providing platforms like this for interaction, knowledge acquisition, and collaboration.
