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UNEP To Build HYPREP’s Capacity
In a bid to implement to the letter the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoniland, a team of experts from the United Nations body arrived Port Harcourt last Sunday, to support the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) to drive the Ogoni clean-up project, with a firm promise and commitment to build and enhance the capacity of top management staff of the Federal Government agency.
The Head of the UNEP delegation, which visited HYPREP’s corporate office in Port Harcourt, Monday, Mr. Mike Cowing disclosed that in supporting the agency to actualise its core mandate of remediation of oil impacted sites in Ogoniland, UNEP would provide training to top management staff of the agency.
Cowing further hinted that HYPREP’s senior managers and members of the Governing Council would also be taken on study tours of Europe, to expose them on how projects of the scale and magnitude of the Ogoni clean-up are planned and executed, and listed the countries to be covered by such tours to include the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands.
He said the UNEP team was in Port Harcourt to provide the requisite support to HYPREP’s activities because, as he put it, some of the works it is going to embark upon are very challenging and very demanding, stressing that “being here signifies the commitment of UNEP’s real engagement in the clean-up of Ogoniland.”
“We are going to be back-stopping HYPREP.
We are going to be adding to their in-house capacity. We are going to be providing training where training is needed, both in the classroom and in the field. And training will take place in Port Harcourt and in Ogoniland. There will be a set of training opportunities in Europe as well,” he said, adding that the UNEP team was expected to work with HYPREP over the next 12 months.
Cowing, however, disclosed that UNEP plans to open an office in Port Harcourt in
March, stressing that he and his four colleagues from the UNEP Office in Geneva would at the moment be preoccupied with spelling out requirements for the capacity building and training, before going back to Geneva to put together the training courses and bringing down the expertise from the United Nations.
“We are very excited to be here. We are hoping that if the partnership goes well, if we deliver on our policies, then, it is quite possible this relationship will carry on for many years to come,” Cowing said.
In his remarks, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Dr. Marvin Dekil expressed delight over the visit of the UNEP team, contending that the team came at the best time when the Ogoni clean-up proper had commenced.
Dekil explained that the UNEP team was in Port Harcourt to support the clean-up project, ensure compliance with the recommendations of the UNEP Report as well as ensure that HYPREP’s activities are best delivered to benefit the Ogoni people.
Donatus Ebi
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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