Let Ogoni Clean-Up Begin Now -Buhari …Wike Pledges Support

President Muhammadu Buhari afterall, failed to show up for the flag-off of the Ogoniland clean-up but speaking through Vice President Osibanjo, stated that he has fulfilled his 2015 electioneering campaign promise to Ogoni people through flagging-off of the project. He stressed that, he will monitor the daily progress of the clean-up.
The president said this at the site of the flag-off of the clean-up of Ogoni environment in Tekru Waterfront, Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Buhari, who was represented by Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osobanjo, said this after kick-starting the proactive implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report recommendations, noting that, it was a reward for sacrifices made by the heroes and people of Ogoniland.
Buhari, who frowned at the resurgence of oil pipeline vandalism and crude theft which has drastically reduced gas supply to power stations, assured that the sabotage of oil pipelines would not be tolerated.
He noted that the Federal Government will enforce the rule of law in protecting critical national assets anywhere in the country.
Also speaking at the flag-off of the clean-up exercise, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for kicking-off the clean-up process, describing it, as a good gesture that will lead to the restoration of the environment of the Ogoni people.
Wike pledged the support of the Rivers State Government in the full implementation of the UNEP report in Ogoniland, noting that, Ogoni people have adopted a non-violent posture in fighting for environmental justice.
The Rivers State governor said that the clean-up presents a road map to gauge the extent of damage to Ogoniland and the ecosystem of the Niger Delta.
The Executive Director of UNEP, Mr Achim Steiner, said the organisation’s team had produced a document of what happened in Ogoniland.
He said that the team would stand with the Nigerian government to ensure the implementation of the report.
In his remarks, President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Legborsi Pyagbara, said the flag-off of the clean-up exercise by President Buhari was a reward for the non-violent posture of Ogoni people in their struggle, and further heralds a healing process in Ogoniland, which for years, has suffered environmental pollution and loss of lives.
The MOSOP leader said that President Buhari’s decision to keep to the promise he made during his campaign in 2015 marks him out as a leader in Africa who says something and keeps to his word.
“President Buhari has proven that he is a leader we should trust. He is the last export of a great leader in Africa continent,” Pyagbara noted.
He said other places in the Niger Delta should learn from the Ogoni people and adopt a non-violent struggle as the best way to go.
“Our road may have been rough with lives lost but the Minister of Environment, Aisha Mohammed, and President Buhari are rekindling our faith in Nigeria,” the MOSOP leader added.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday warned that the Federal Government would no longer tolerate the current theft and illegal refining of crude oil in the Niger Delta.
Buhari, represented by Vice-President, Yemi Osinbanjo, gave the warning at the launch of “Clean-Up of Ogoniland’’ in Bodo, Gokana Local Government of Rivers.
He urged the regulators of oil industry to carry out their responsibilities in line with best practices.
Buhari said that government was laying a foundation for change to ensure the rule of law and safety of the people.
He said the aim was to diversify the nation’s economy and provide jobs and wealth for the people.
According to him, the clean-up of Ogoniland will have sustainable development components will benefit the people.
“The methodology for the clean-up will ensure job creation for young people. The agro-allied industries required for processing of agricultural produce will also be put in place,’’ the president said.
Buhari also said that approval had been given to set up necessary institutional framework to drive the implementation of the UNEP Report.
Governor Nyesom Wike  commended Buhari for inaugurating the implementation of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland.
He said that the state government would provide the platform for the smooth implementation of the Report.
The governor said that environmental degradation had affected ecosystem and wild life of communities in the Niger Delta.
The Minister of Environment, Hajia Amina Mohammed, said that government had taken stock of the work done in the past to start the implementation.
She said the clean-up would require collective responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure its success.
Mohammed said the implementation “requires transparency, accountability, genuine partnership and proper representation of the people at the grassroots in what we are doing in investing in their future,’’ she said.
Mr Achim Steiner, Executive Director of UNEP, said the organisation’s team had produced a document of what happened in Ogoniland.
He said that the team would stand with the Nigerian government to ensure the implementation of the report.