…Say ‘we will not compromise quality’
The Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal and Minister of Niger Delta AbubaKar Momoh stormed Ogoniland weekend to commission water project and inspect on-going HYPREP projects. The in Gokana and Tai Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
In his address at Bomu Community in Gokana Local Government Area, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal while responding to the request by Ogoni people to consider more Ogoni contractors both men and women in the award of cleanup project, said that he would consider indigenous contractors from Ogoni but maintained that they must be qualified because he would not compromise quality.
“I want your support, commitment and buy-in. We must consider our youths and our mothers in contracts, but we cannot compromise quality,” he said.
Lawal explained that the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has achieved a lot from the last time he visited Ogoniland. He commended HYPREP for drastic adjustment, noting that they are now better than ever before.
The Minister of Environment further said that the project was significant and that the importance of Clean up cannot be overstressed.
The Minister attributed the success of HYPREP to the power of collaboration through hard work.
He noted that some of the environmental challenges is Environmental degradation.
“There are still many programmes like the livelihood, skills acquisition, health, because the pollution has badly affected the life of Ogoni, he said, advising the community to support the process. He assured the people that the President was committed to the cleanup.
“We are dedicated to addressing the impact of oil pollution and we shall continue dialogue with all on the cleanup,” he said.
On his part, the Minister of Niger Delta, Abubakar Momoh said he was in Ogoni on dual capacity, one as a member of the Governing Council of HYPREP and as a Minister of Niger Delta. He said that the President was committed to what is happening in Ogoniland.
Read also: Ogoni cleanup: HYPREP to engage foreign partners, transfer technology to local communities
He also said that the President brought Prof. Neeniibarini Zabbey because the President has a listening hear.
Momoh warned that Ogoni people should not be used by politicians who do not have their interest at heart. He however, told the people that under the new NDDC Ogoni and by extension other Niger Delta people will benefit, saying that it is only when the region is peaceful that “we can benefit.”
Earlier, the HYPREP Coordinator, Neeniibarini Zabbey said the event reflected the new spirit accelerating the Ogoni Cleanup with the Renew Hope Agenda, adding that they are proud to contribute to National Agenda.
According to Zabbey, the commissioning of Bomu and Kporghor water facility marks another milestone in the implementation of the UNEP Report Recommendations. He also commended the contribution of Bomu Community for the shoreline remediation and mangrove revegetation.
HYPREP Coordinator maintained that the water provision to Ogoni people is a key mandate in the UNEP Report.
Zebbey enumerated the achievements of HYPREP to include the on-going construction of the Centre of Excellence, construction of Specialist hospital, training of youths in different skills especially in Cabin Crew, building of cottage hospital, mangrove restoration, and livelihoods training among others.
“HYPREP is also engaging in peace building especially alternative dispute resolution.
“Today marks the International Day for the conservation of mangrove ecosystem HYPREP is undertaken the World largest mangrove restoration, with the planting of 514,819 mangrove seedlings. He however, solicited the support of Ogoni youths and Stakeholders for the successful completion and delivery of the project,” he said.
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