By Adedapo Adesanya
The Presidency has pledged to tackle the challenges and bottlenecks hindering the Ogoni clean-up initiative, ensuring a more effective and sustainable approach to environmental remediation and community empowerment.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, South-South, Mrs Gift Johnbull, made this commitment at the Ogoni Clean Up Stakeholders Roundtable Meeting in Nortem, Bori, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, acknowledging that past efforts may have faced obstacles.
The meeting, held under the Na My Area, Na My Country programme, brought together diverse stakeholders to collaborate and drive real change in Ogoniland, as Mrs Johnbull reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the Ogoni clean-up initiative, emphasizing inclusion, empowerment, and environmental remediation.
She assured that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope approach prioritizes environmental sustainability, economic empowerment, inclusion and community well-being, signalling a shift from superficial solutions to lasting impact.
“The launch of the Ogoni Clean Up Initiative in 2016 marked a significant step towards acknowledging and addressing an ecological Issue. However, there is a need to weigh in on our progress thus far and assess the impact of the Ogoni Clean Up as it relates to the improvement of the lives and livelihood of the Ogoni people.
“As recommended by the President, It is crucial that we come together as diverse stakeholders to collaborate in ensuring that the purpose of the Ogoni Cleanup is fully actualized.
“Our focus must be on empowerment, environmental remediation, and fostering a mindset of responsibility and ownership among all stakeholders.
“The President has sent me. We will address the challenges and bottlenecks that may have hindered or slowed down progress, if there is any that will be discussed here today. The President has established robust governance frameworks and accountability mechanisms to ensure transparency, effective resource allocation, and meaningful community involvement in the clean-up process.
“This meeting is not about providing temporary relief or superficial solutions. It is about driving real and lasting change, fostering a mindset that prioritizes environmental sustainability, economic empowerment, and community well-being.
“We must work together to unlock the human and natural resource potential of Ogoniland while ensuring the environmental and economic security of the South-South communities of Nigeria.”
Speaking for the people of Ogoni, the Spokesman of the Central Representative Advisory Committee, King T.Y Suanu Baridam, expressed concerns about the Ogoni cleanup process, emphasizing the need for betterment of the people and economic development.
“The cleanup process is important, but we also need to address the suffering and deprivation of our people. The Project Manager should have the power to approve things here, not constantly running to Abuja. We need youth empowerment, not enslavement by outsiders. The government should reduce military presence and increase youth involvement for efficient delivery.”
On his part, Mr Nenibarini Zabbey, provided an update on the Ogoni cleanup project, highlighting progress in key areas including remediation, mangrove restoration, provision of potable water, livelihood creation, and health support.
“We have accelerated the cleanup process, remediated 50 lots of simple sites, and planted 265,000 mangrove seedlings. We are committed to forensic health studies and strengthening health facilities. We have provided clean water to 60 communities, engaged over 7,000 youths and women, and renovated health facilities.
“The project’s scope includes land remediation, shoreline cleanup, and mangrove restoration, with 39 contractors handling complex sites and 34 lots dedicated to shoreline cleanup in Gokana. HYPREP has received cleanup certification for 48 sites and is piloting mangrove restoration across 560 hectares.”
Modupe Gbadeyanka