In an effort to speed up the Ogoni cleanup, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, has disclosed plans by the Federal Government to involve community members in the execution of the project.
The minister made the disclosure at a press briefing in Abuja. He lamented that the project which was recommended by the United Nations Environmental Progamme (UNEP) was over 12 years in motion with little progress.
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“We are not happy with how overdue the project is. We believe in planning with the people and not for the people,” he added.
The Ogoni cleanup refers to the environmental restoration initiative in the Ogoniland region of Nigeria. It was launched to address the ecological damage caused by oil spills and pollution resulting from oil extraction activities since oil was discovered in 1958.
The minister also disclosed the introduction of sanitary inspection across the country, to help address open dedication in the environment
He said: “Sanitary departments will be created and we will have inspectors that will help address the issue of open deification in the environment.
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“As much as we are concerned with climate change and it’s challenges, we are also keen on having a healthy and clean environment void of garbage, hence we need all hands on deck to promote environmental hygiene.”
