FG Set To Implement UNEP Report

The Minister for Envi
ronment, Mrs Lawrencial Mallam says the Federal Government has commenced the process that would lead to the full  implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on  the devastations that occurred in Ogoniland.
Speaking to The  Tide Aviation correspondent on Friday at the Port Harcourt International Airport shortly before departing for Abuja, Mrs Mallam said contractors would soon mobilise to site to begin the implementation of the report.
She disclosed that the delay in the implementation of the UNEP report was not intentional but was to enable the government do the proper thing.
The minister disclosed that a recent meeting of the stakeholders made up of Minister of Petroleum Resources, herself, Chiefs from Ogoniland, U.N Envoy, Mosop leadership, oil companies namely Shell, Total, Agip, Chevron and others participated in the technical session.
According to the Minister, the technical sessions would finetune the process of the implementation of the report to ensure satisfactory execution, pointing out that contractors would mobilise to site at the end of the exercise.
“You need to know what to do, plan well, the delay was for the good of all stakeholders,” the environment minister stated, while calling for patience.
On cases of oil spill, the Minister said the regulatory agencies of the Ministry of Environment are monitoring compliance to international standard but regretted the level of oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta area, adding that the federal government will continue to do its best to check the trend.
Commenting on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Mrs Mallam disclosed that part of her visit to Port Harcourt was for a meeting with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the inspection of sites, noting that the agenices responsible for compliance are ensuring that laid down procedures are followed.

General Manager, Bayelsa – CSDA, Eve O. Oboro (left) with Head of Operations CDDS-Piu, Mr. Samuel Dabipisimaka (right) at the two days workshop and training for LGRC/Desk Officers organised by Rivers State Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs in collaboration with SEEFOR Rivers State Community Driven Development Social (CDDS) – Piu at Ministry of Justices on 256h Sept. 2014. Photo: Egberi A. Samspon