FG Expresses Commitment in Restoring Ogoni Environment

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The federal government has restated its commitment in the cleanup and restoration of the degraded Ogoni environment.

The Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Lawal, made the commitment yesterday during the commissioning of the Terabor, Korokoro, Kpean and Ebubu community water schemes in Gokana, Rivers State and inspection of health facilities in other parts of Ogoniland achieved by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).

Commissioning the project, the minister assured that despite numerous challenges, the President Bola Tinubu’s administration is determined to ensure a proper restoration of the environment.

He said: “In our pursuit of a sustainable and healthy future, access to clean water and robust healthcare are foundational pillars.

“The water scheme project we celebrate today is not merely a structure but a symbol of our commitment to providing clean and accessible water to the people of Ogoniland. Clean water is not a luxury but a fundamental human right and this project is a testament to our dedication to ensuring this right for all citizens.

“Additionally, the inspection of health facilities in Ogoniland underscores the importance of a robust healthcare system. The well-being of our citizens is paramount and investing in healthcare infrastructure is an investment in the prosperity and vitality of our communities.

“As we commission this water scheme and assess our health facilities let us remember that our collective efforts are building blocks for a healthier environment and a more resilient community.

“The challenges ahead are significant but our determination is unwavering and collectively we will overcome all future obstacles.”

In his address, Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, said that the agency embarked on the water project in response to the UNEP report recommendations and in fulfillment of one its cardinal mandates.

Zabbey explained that the agency has commenced phase 2 of the water scheme with the award of an additional 14 contracts that will reticulate portable water across 52 communities in Ogoniland and that constructions are going on.

He also expressed the hope that when completed, it would immensely increase access to clean water across Ogoniland and reduce the health hazards associated with the consumption of polluted water.

“One of the cardinal mandates of HYPREP, in line with the recommendations of UNEP’s report on Ogoniland is the provision of portable drinking water. Giving this, HYPREP embarked on the provision of portable water in its Phase 1 water schemes with the award of six water contracts in March 2021.

“Today we are witnessing the commissioning of four water facilities to provide portable water for more Ogoni communities.

“Since last year, the Alesa Water Scheme has been supplying water to Alode, Agbonchia and Ogale in the Eleme local government area. Earlier in the year, we have commissioned the Barako water scheme in Gokana local government area which has continued to provide portable water for our people.”

He said that the completion and commissioning of the Terabor, Korokoro, Kpean and Ebubu water schemes are further admission of the steadfastness of the federal government through HYPREP to the full implementation of the recommendations of the UNEP report, particularly the provision of portable water that meets World Health Organisations standard to the good people of Ogoniland.

The project coordinator explained that the Terabor water scheme has a storage capacity of 900,000 litres with a reticulation distance of 80 kilometers across seven communities in Gokana namely Nweol, Lewe, Mogho, Bera, Kpor, Gbe and Giokoo.

Also, that “the Korokoro water facility has 500,000 litres tank capacity with a reticulation distance of over 23 kilometers and reticulates the Ueken communities, the Ebubu water scheme has a tank capacity of 650,000 litres with a reticulation distance of 31 kilometers while the Kpean facility has a tank capacity of 500″000 litres with a reticulation distance of 18 kilometers.”

To sustain the project, Zabbey said the facilities would be run by HYPREP for three years in active collaboration with the communities, non-governmental organisations, Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development and the local government areas.

“We shall establish a consumer-based water consumers association to manage the facilities. Plans are underway to provide solar power systems as an alternative to the current diesel power supply system,” he said.

In his remarks, the Paramount Ruler of Gokana, King Festus Babari Paago-Bagia, said that the hope of the common Ogoni man is that the minister would bring infrastructural development with a view of recovering their land and their streams.