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.