UNEP Report: $10m Not For Sharing, Monarch Tells Politicians

APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun (right), with former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Silva (left), during APC mega rally in Yenagoa on Saturday. Photo: NAN

A Royal Father in Rivers
State, HRH King Suanlu Baridam, has called on politicians and other stakeholders in Ogoniland to stop bickering over 10 million dollars approved by the Federal Government for the Implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report in the area.
King Baridam, who is the paramount ruler of Banne Kingdom of Khana Local Government Area of the state said the 10 million dollar approved by the Federal Government  has meant for cleaning of Ogoniland from several years of degradation and not for sharing among the people of Ogoni.
Speaking with newsmen yesterday in Port Harcourt, the royal father described comments by politicians over the implementation of UNEP report as a potential source of insecurity in the area.
He advocated awareness campaigns in Ogoniland to sensitise the youths and some elderly people in the area to avoid misinformation and misunderstanding about the UNEP report.
King Baridam also called on political office holders to shun politics of bitterness, and engage the youths in meaningful activities that will promote better living and peace.
Meanwhile, another royal father in Andoni Local Government Area of the state, High Chief Samuel B. Enene, says the implementation of the UNEP report be extended to Andoni territory.
High Chief Enene, who made the call yesterday at his palace in Asarama Community in the area, said most of the affected areas in the UNEP report are within Asarama territory in Andoni Local Government Area of the state.
According to him, Andoni is between Ogoni and Bonny territory and that Asarama is majority affected by the activities of multinational oil companies.

Enoch Epelle