By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has approved the reinstatement of Mr Nenibarini Zabbey as the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) after facing fierce opposition from youths in the Niger Delta.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Ajuri Ngelale, on Monday, the President decided on a performance review of the HYPREP Project Coordinator and concluded that he is fit to discharge his functions following the regulations guiding the execution of the initiative.
“By the directive of the president, the reinstatement of the HYPREP Project Coordinator takes immediate effect,” the statement said.
The development comes after the Movement for The Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), and some youth leaders in Ogoni, Rivers State, gave the President 24 hours, to reinstate Mr Zabbey.
In a statement, MOSOP argued that Mr Zabbey, a non-partisan Ogoni, is highly qualified and dedicated to the role, which focuses on the environmental remediation of Ogoni land based on the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Report.
In the statement signed by MOSOP President, Prof. Olu Wai-Oguso, the group demanded the immediate reinstatement of Prof. Zabbey to complete his tenure, ensure that HYPREP is not used to settle political scores and allow appointed HYPREP Coordinators to serve their full terms for stability and growth in Ogoni.
MOSOP threatened to block the new appointee from entering Ogoni and seal the HYPREP office in Port-Harcourt if a non-Ogoni is appointed as HYPREP Coordinator.
It said, “MOSOP insists that HYPREP must serve the Ogoni people and not political interests.”
The leadership change in HYPREP has continued to attract reactions since its announcement.
Over the weekend, following a flurry of changes approved by President Tinubu, the FG approved the appointment of Mr Olufemi Adekambi as the new HYPREP coordinator.
Immediately, the representatives from the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP), Ogoni Youths Federation, Ogoni Students Association Worldwide, and the Association of Ogoni Martyrs, among others, expressed their dissatisfaction.
They argue that Ogoni has qualified individuals to run the project, which was initiated through the efforts and sacrifices of the Ogoni people without federal assistance.
The youth leaders insisted that if the presidency did not reinstate Prof. Zabbey, whom they believed was performing well, they would have no choice but to shut down all project sites.
Mr Brinuazor Emmanuel, NYCOP President, and Mr Daniel Karakpon, National President of Ogoni Students Worldwide, emphasise their commitment to resist the resumption of Mr Olufemi Adekambi, who was set to start officially on Monday (July 15) after his appointment began on Saturday, July 13.
