Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, has said the mandate of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on Ogoni cleanup project will end this year.
Abdullahi, who stated this when responding to the Award of Outstanding Performance presented by Ogoni Youth Federation Worldwide in Abuja, said the government is working with United Nations for Offices for Project Services (UNOPS) to take over the entire process in January 2024.
While explaining that the government is also at the final stage of the shoreline remediation, to restore the areas, where the mangroves have been destroyed, said they would do their best to sustain the project by leaving a good legacy for the next administration to pursue on the clean-up exercise.
The Minister further stressed, “We are coming from the controversy to deliver on the mandate of the president. So, youths have been very cooperative and very supportive. This has also been part of the underlying reasons we have succeeded in Ogoniland.”
According to him, “youth restiveness has been very provocative, and they did not given us opportunity to operate. It would have been very difficult to operate if this was not properly handled. So, we take this award as very important and we will not take it for granted.
“This transition is ongoing for the benefit of our people of Ogoniland. Our commitment will continue to engage the aggrieved youths in the region to ensure a smooth completion of the project to deliver the mandate UNEP.”
Earlier, President General, Youths Federation, Worldwide, Mr. Legborsi Yamaabana, said the visit and award was to reassure the Federal Government of their continuous support and prayers for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project to succeed in carrying out the project.
Yamaabana also commended the minister for the Ogoni cleanup project, saying, “Several uncommon milestones are being achieved from the Ogoni power project to the recently-approved Specialist Hospital and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration.”
“It is in recognition and appreciation of your steadfast, focused and passionate disposition towards the success of this project that informed our visit today. The group commends the President Muhammadu Buhari for keeping his promise to the Ogoni people by approving funds for the various projects.”
