A former Commissioner
for Environment in Rivers State, Prof. (Mrs) Roseline Konya, has pledged to support the move by the Federal Government to begin the implementation of the United Nations Environemnt Programme (UNEP) report on the cleanup of Ogoniland.
Prof. Konga who said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt said that the move is necessary to save the Ogonis from extinction and described as deplorable, the level of pollution of oil pollution of Ogoniland.
She said that eh underground water source across Ogoniland has been polluted with Benxyme, thereby making the Ogonis to drink Benzyme everyday of their lives.
The environmentalist who is also a lecturer at the university of Port Harcourt, said that the situation has resulted to series of health challenges across the communities.
She described the move by the presidency to begin the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on the oil pollution of the area as commendable, adding that it beholves every sons and daughters of Ogoni and by extension the entire Niger Delta to support it.
Meanwhile, Mrs Konga had laid to rest speculations that money earmarked for the cleanup exercise will be shared among the people.
She said that no money will be shared to anybody, adding that whatever amount approved, will go for the cleanup exercise.
According to her, “the money is not for sharing but for the cleanup exercise she said.
Meanwhile, the Ken Saor Wiwa Association a non governmental organization in Ogoniland has warned of moves by some persons to frustrate the cleanup exercise.
National president of Ken Saro-Wiwa Associate, Mr Gani Toba told newsmen in Port Harcourt that some lawyers of Ogoni extraction are purportedly collecting signatures to frustrate the effort of the Federal Government in the cleanup exercise.
He used the occasion to call on those involved to retrace their steps in the interest of Ogonis and the entire Niger Delta region.