Rivers
Mitee Criticises FG Over HYPREP Audit
A former President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Ledum Mitee, says the intended audit ordered by the Federal Government on Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) may affect the ongoing clean-up exercise in the area.
Mitee, who said this in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also alleged that the auditing may be aimed at using the funds meant for the Ogoni clean-up for the 2023 elections.
The former MOSOP President also expressed doubt that the announced audit of the project would not also go the way of the recent audit on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
It would be recalled that the Minister of Transportation, speaking on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, announced that the President had ordered HYPREP to be moved from the Ministry of Environment to the Ministry of Niger Delta Ministry Affairs.
A day after, the Ministry of Environment refuted that directive, quoting the President in a circular, which it said ordered that HYPREP be moved back to Environment Ministry.
In the release, Mitee expressed the hope that the situation will not go the way of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
According to him, “Remarkably, the statement by the Environment Ministry stated that the President had ordered a full audit of the accounts of HYPREP from inception to date. I hope it is not a repeat of the NDDC experience, where, in the face of serious mind-boggling revelations about corruption, a so-called forensic audit was ordered which has perennially been ongoing, creating the excuse for business as usual, especially when viewed against the backdrop of the following:
“The HYPREP draft budget for the remaining part of this year that has exponentially risen to a record $300 million compared to last year’s budget that was a mere $35 million. Curiously, the current budget pegs the exchange rate at N411 to a dollar.
Continuing he said, “Opaque contracting processes, which have been dominated by the wishes of the supervising Ministry evidenced by unqualified companies being shortlisted and awarded contracts for remediation.”
Mitee expressed regrets that despite the huge sums of money being voted into HYPREPs nothing much is being felt by communities in the area.
“There have been incessant complaints by communities and other stakeholders that despite huge expenditures, HYPREP has not impacted on the communities. “he said.
By: John Bibor
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Rivers Judiciary Denies Issuing Court Order Stopping SOLAD from Swearing in RSCSC Members
The Rivers State Judiciary has denied a media report claiming that Justice Frank Onyiri of the State High Court issued an injunction order restraining the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), from inaugurating the newly appointed members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission (RSCSC).
In a statement issued by the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of litigation at the High Court, Menenen Poromon (Esq), the state Judiciary disassociated itself from the report, describing it as malicious and fabricated.
The statement emphasized that the report was a falsehood and a misrepresentation of what transpeared in the court.
Poromon clarified that no such order was issued by Justice Onyiri or any other judge of the High Court of the state and urged the public to disregard the information, as it lacked any iota of truth.
The statement however advised the public to verify any information concerning the state Judiciary directly from the office of the Chief Registrar, High Court of the State, to avoid spreading of misinformation.
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