News
HYPREP Assures Ogonis Water Supply In Three Months …As MOSOP Insists On Restructuring
The Coordinator of HYPREP, Dr Marvin Dekii has assured that stakeholders are working on a comprehensive plan to provide integrated water supply to the people in the four Ogoni local government areas in line with the recommendations of the UNEP report.
The assurance came even as Leaders of Thought from Ogoni polluted communities called for adequate funding by the Federal Government and other stakeholders for the clean-up of polluted sites in the area.
The Ogoni leaders, who include the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Barinua Nwifa, former Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof Barineme Fakae, traditional rulers, politicians, businessmen and community leaders, made their position known at a meeting with the Hydrocarbon Pollution and Restoration Programme (HYPREP) in Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the meeting, Chairman, Barinua Nwifa said HYPREP would succeed in delivering on its mandate, if all stakeholders release their contributions to the$1billion required to fast-track the clean-up of oil polluted sites in Ogoni.
Wifa explained that as part of the clean-up process, remediation of impacted sites was key, urging the people not to expect the implementation of the UNEP report to provide solution to all the problems affecting Ogoni people.
While agreeing on the need to fight for the rights of vulnerable Ogoni people, the legal luminary said that sincerity of purpose, respect for the rights of the people and commitment to transparency in resource management will help reduce tension and create atmosphere for peace and sustainable development of Ogoniland.
Also speaking, the former vice chancellor, Rivers State University, Prof Barineme Fakae, called for variation of processes for the clean-up exercise so as to enable experts ascertain the present impact of oil pollution in Ogoniland.
Fakae harped on the need for all stakeholders to put in their best to enable the clean-up succeed, saying that Ogoni people cannot allow the clean-up process to fail, because of its effect on the overall clean-up and remediation of polluted sites in the entire Niger Delta region.
He explained that more time was still needed to conduct reassessment of impact of fresh oil pollution on Ogoniland before the clean-up project can make meaning, saying that the release of the $1billion was not as critical as doing a thorough clean-up job.
The HYPREP coordinator noted the lack of attention to the mitigation and restoration of the livelihoods of Ogoni people, particularly communities in active stream of oil pollution.
Dekii said that it was in that light that stakeholders have began efforts to provide emergency water supply to address the immediate concerns of the people, assuring that in the next three months, project implementation would have been activated.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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