UNEP Report: Buhari Flags Off Environmental Centre, Power Project, Specialist Hospital In Ogoni

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the flag-off of construction work on the Centre of Excellence in Environmental Research (CEER), Ogoni Power Project, and 100-bed Specialist Hospital were in fulfilment of his promises to Ogoni people as part of the benefits of the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoni clean-up.
Buhari made this known in a virtual groundbreaking ceremony for the projects in Wiiyaakara, Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State, last Friday.
He expressed confidence that the projects would improve infrastructural, economic and social well-being of Ogoni people.
The President said that the projects were testimonials to his pledge and commitment to the clean-up of oil-impacted communities in Ogoniland.
Buhari, who gave assurance that the Centre of Excellence would provide solutions to environmental issues in the Niger Delta region, maintained that the specialist hospital would attend to the healthcare needs of the people while the power project would boost economic and social activities in the area.
On the state of the East-West Road, the president told the people that he has given directive for the speedy completion of the Ogoni axis of the road.
While appreciating the President for approval of the projects, Minister of Environment, Mr. Mohammed Abdulahi, insisted that the projects would enhance industrialisation and job opportunities in the area.
According to him, over 20 sites have been completely remediated in the clean-up exercise while contracts have been awarded for more 17 sites.
The minister commended Ogoni youths and traditional rulers for their support so far, and called on all stakeholders to provide enabling environment for the successful completion of the projects.
On his part, the Project Cordinator, HYPREP, Dr. Ferdinand Giadom, described the projects as answer to the yearnings of Niger Delta people, who have experienced environmental pollution due to oil exploitation and production activities.
Giadom noted that the specialist hospital would service three states in the Niger Delta: Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River, that are without Federal Specialist Medical Centres.
The project coordinator stated that the Centre of Excellence would place Ogoni on the global map, as researchers across the world would visit the area to study Ogoni model of remediation exercise, while the power project would connect Ogoni to the National Grid.
Giadom assured the President that all efforts would be made to guarantee timely completion of the projects accordingly.
The Tide reports that it was a moment of excitement for the people of Ogoni who have been waiting for the fulfilment of one of the recommendations in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoni clean-up.
The event witnessed the commencement of work on the establishment of Centre of Excellence, in addition to two other projects: the power project, and the specialist hospital.
The projects are being executed under the auspices of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).