Kenny Folarin Archives - Leading Reporters

By: Kenny Folarin

President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari on Friday inaugurated the Second Governing Council of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and the Board of the Trustees of the Ogoni Trust Fund in Abuja.

Buhari, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha at the exercise stated that the inauguration aim at achieving remediation process and improving the socio-economic situation of the people of Ogoniland.

According to Buhari, following the flag-off of the project in 2016, some milestones and timelines could not be accomplished circumstantially however assured to recover lost grounds and achieve his goals through deliberate efforts to reinvigorate the processes and the machinery of delivery.

He further stated that the Federal Executive Council recently approved the award of contracts for six (6) water supply schemes at the total cost of about N6.05 billion to facilitate the provision of potable water to the impacted communities in Ogoniland, a firm demonstration of its commitment to improving their socio-economic conditions pragmatically.

Meanwhile, Buhari noted that remediation of the polluted land is in progress in various parts of Ogoniland, but has directed a further restructuring of HYPREP in order to create an environment for enhanced structured and focused delivery of the Project.

“The Honourable Minister of Environment has informed me that remediation of polluted land is progressing in various parts of Ogoniland and I have approved his request to further rejig and restructure HYPREP in order to create an environment for enhanced structured and focused delivery of the Project. Your appointment therefore, is part of this deliberate effort and I hope that you will live up to expectation accordingly.

He thereby charged the inaugurated members of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees to deliver on the mandate bestowed on them.

“We have carefully and painstakingly considered your backgrounds profiles and competences in affording you the opportunity to serve in these offices.”

“You are therefore being inaugurated today as Representatives of the Federal Government on the platform of HYPREP and I strongly appeal to you to take this trust bestowed on you with all sense of responsibility and commitment. You should see your appointment as a patriotic national duty and a clarion call to service.

“You will be required to promote transparency, propriety and integrity in the operation of HYPREP to ensure optimal and satisfactory delivery of the required services”.

He added that they are expected to proffer solutions to the challenges of community disruption due to land disputes, leadership
tussles and unnecessary pressure on the Contractors.

“If these bottlenecks are removed, work will progress freely and we will regain lost timelines”.

Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar on his own part stated that the inauguration is another milestone in the calendar of praise worthy activities lined up for accomplishment in the life of the Buhari-led-Administration.

Mohammad added that a new dawn has begun and a refreshing era of elevated federal government presence in Ogoniland which will ensure lasting impacts in the living condition of its people.

The Director, Weights and Measures Department, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Abubakar Galadima sealed Shema filling Station and a cement depot in Abuja over shortchanging consumers the Nigerian government.

Galadima who lead a team of the department on a surveillance activity to food stores, cement depot and filling stations in Abuja stated that the exercise aimed at generating revenue and ensure that Nigerians are not cheated.

According to Galadima, Shema filling station was sealed because of their inability to produce their letter of certification and over charging of motorists.

“Generally, all the filling stations that we visited are good except this particular station, and I have directed that this place should be sealed.

He added that the cement factory was sealed due to re-bagging of 50kg cement and reduced to 44kg.

Galadima assured that both companies will be shut for the next 28 days until they comply with their terms.

“This place will be shut for 28 days, we have a tolerant level, it is above or below five points we seal the station, if they are ready to comply, and conform with our directives then they will be unseal but if they refuse to do this, it will remain close for a month after which we take them to court for prosecution.”

Meanwhile, Galadima stated that because of the ongoing exercise which will be done in the six geopolitical zones of the country, majority of the filling stations will now adjust their pumps to make sure they stay within the accepted level and which will in turn give more revenue for the government.

“We are not going to allow a situation where consumers will be shortchanged, so if we find anything going contrary to our justification, we are not going to allow it”.

“They are shortchanging Nigerians by over charging motorists and that is not allowed by our act, that is why we are sealing this place and until they respond adequately, we are not going to unseal it.”

He however assured that the department will visit all filling stations to ensure compliance and consumers have value for their money.

“We are going to all filling stations within our powers to make sure that they pay their dues, we have a responsibility to ensure compliance, Nigerians can not shortchanged but have value for their money.”

Kenny Folarin

Buhari Inaugurate 2nd HYPREP Committee on Ogoni Clean-Up

President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari on Friday inaugurated the Second Governing Council of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and the Board of the Trustees of the Ogoni Trust Fund in Abuja.

FG Seal Fuel Station, Cement Depot in Abuja

The Director, Weights and Measures Department, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Abubakar Galadima sealed Shema filling Station and a cement depot in Abuja over shortchanging consumers the Nigerian government.