By Adedapo Adesanya
The House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities says it will liaise with all stakeholders, including International Oil Companies (IOCs) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to ensure that the Ogoni cleanup project is not short of funds.
The Committee’s Chairman, Mr Dumnamene Dekor, made the commitment when he led members of the Committee on an oversight visit to the Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP) sites in Ogoniland on Friday.
Mr Dekor said the Committee will engage with all stakeholders to ensure that funds are provided for the project, noting that the cleanup of Ogoniland is a priority and must be completed to restore the environment and improve the lives of the people.
“The last time I met with the Board of Trustees’ Chairman during the commissioning of the Bomu water project, we tried to look at what is being owed and sources where we can generate more revenue.
“The money that was earmarked for this project was a take-off grant and it’s almost spent and so we are also going to work with all stakeholders to ensure that funds are provided for the project, the IOCs and NNPC Ltd will make provisions for the tranche that belongs to them because it’s what they owe the people.
“We will work with HYPREP and other stakeholders to ensure all funds are released for the project.”
The House of Representatives Committee also commended the renewed vigour in the delivery of the hydrocarbon pollution remediation project in Ogoniland, and emphasised the need for alternative livelihood means for youths, while urging those involved in illegal activities to desist.
“We have gone to some water project sites, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and some remediation sites. From what we have seen so far, I can say there is a renewed vigour to the delivery of this project to the people of Ogoniland and I must commend the Minister of Environment, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP and his team, having been around this project for a long time now, I can spot the difference.
“The Ogoni people have gone through a lot of deprivation and pollution for God knows how long and I think the least that can be done is what is going on now. The project coordinator has told us every community will have water, and that gladdens my mind,” he stated.
Also, the HYPREP Project Coordinator, Mr Nenibarini Zabbey, assured that the project was doing a lot, with over 130 projects ongoing simultaneously, including water projects, mangrove restoration, livelihood restoration and soil remediation.
Mr Zabbey noted that the project aims to develop a template not just for Ogoni but for the entire Niger Delta.
“We are excited that the House Reps Committee is here and we have taken note of all their concerns and their commendations.
“From day one, we assured Ogoni people and every stakeholder that we will give them the very best because we’re mindful of the fact that we are developing a template not just for Ogoni but for the entire Niger Delta,” he said.
Aduragbemi Omiyale