Niger Delta
Stakeholders Okay HYPREP’s Performance
Stakeholders and industry regulators, have reviewed the activities and performance of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project ( HYPREP) in the second quarter of 2024 and gave the Project a clean bill of health, affirming that it has done excellent and tremendous work to improve the living conditions of the Ogoni people within the period under review.
This is even as they have unanimously fixed their third and fourth quarterly meetings with HYPREP for September 26, 2024 and December 5, 2024 respectively.
This indication came to the fore during the second quarterly stakeholders/ industry regulators meeting organised by HYPREP at Casoni Hotel in Port Harcourt last Thursday.
The former Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Deinibarini Zabbey said in his welcome address that the attendance of the meeting by the key stakeholders and industry regulators is an expression of their commitment to HYPREP’s goals and objectives.
He noted that the quarterly review meeting is a component of HYPREP’s monitoring and evaluation framework, which is crucial, as it brings together key project stakeholders and industry regulators, including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Environment; National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA); Rivers State Ministry of Environment; Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources; Rivers State Ministry of Health;Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC); Stakeholders Democratic Network (SDN); Centre for Environment Human Rights and Development (CEHRD); AIFES; SWAYA; and other players.
He noted that HYPREP is using the platform to provide an update on the status of its project delivery, saying, “Over the past quarter, we have made significant progress in our remediation efforts and other project thematic areas”.
According to him, key milestones include the ongoing remediation of several land and shoreline sites; mangrove restoration; the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration; the Ogoni Specialist Hospital; water facilities; and sundry livelihood programmes.
Zabbey said the journey has not been without challenges, adding that “We have encountered logistical hurdles, including malicious cutting of planted mangroves; inter- intra communal land disputes; community leadership tussles; and targeted fence erections that impeded access to contaminated sites.”
He, however, posited that in the face of these odds, HYPREP’s tenacity remains unshaken, as it is more determined than ever to achieve its goals, as it would continue to utilise its conflict prevention and resolution mechanism to resolve the issues, and solicited the continued support and collaboration of the stakeholders to effectively address the challenges and bottlenecks.
The former Project Coordinator said the meeting provides a unique opportunity for the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Rivers State Government, industry regulators, the funding partners, civil society partners and other key stakeholders to provide feedback on HYPREP’s performance, saying, “this platform allows us to align our efforts with regulatory expectations and industry best practices”.
He further indicated that through it, HYPREP welcomes the insights and suggestions on how it can improve its strategies, processes, enhance compliance and achieve its project goals more effectively and within stated timelines, saying, “your insights and evaluations will guide our strategic adjustments and shape our future direction, ensuring we remain on the right path toward achieving our remediation, livelihood, peacebuilding and other project objectives”.
Zabbey also hinted that HYPREP is reviewing site assessment and stakeholder engagement strategies for optimum results and intensifying its community engagement initiatives, by ensuring that the Ogoni communities are informed and actively participating in the Project.
According to him, this includes training programmes for youth, enhancing their skills in sustainable livelihoods and environmental management, and providing inclusive employment opportunities.
“Community content has become part of our contract administration.We are committed to transparency and accountability in our operations,” he intoned.
While expressing his sincere appreciation to the stakeholders for their unending support and collaboration, Zabbey affirmed that, “together, we can overcome the challenges before us and achieve the goals and objectives of HYPREP.”
He enjoined the stakeholders to continue to work with HYPREP in harmony and with focus, “leveraging our collective expertise and resources to restore and return the Ogoni environment, restore the livelihoods of its people, and build structures for peace”.
The Monitoring and Evaluation officer of HYPREP, Mr Goodluck Msu mounted the stage and presented a lucid account of HYPREP’s activities and scorecard to the participants within the period under review, which elicited reactions and comments on how the Project has fared so far, in its bid to improve the living conditions of the Ogoni people.
While scoring HYPREP high on what is currently on ground, the Head of Environment, Stakeholders Democratic Network (SDN), Mr Jude Samuelson Ikenna commended the Project for the work it is doing but stressed the need for it to employ more technical personnel to improve its monitoring and supervision of projects since the volume of work is increasing by the day.
On her part, the Assessment and Sustainability officer of the Centre for Environment Human Rights and Development ( CEHRD), Baridapsi Nyiaghan expressed satisfaction with the various projects and programmes undertaken by the Project in Ogoniland but solicited for an improvement.
Also speaking, Mrs Oguns Oke of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Ogoni Restoration Project while expressing her excitement, assured HYPREP of SPDC’s continued support, and stressed the need for mechanism to be put in place to channel floods away from ongoing project sites , particularly now that the rains have set in.
Overall, the participants expressed grave concern about the fencing of some ongoing project sites in Eleme by an individual, and called for prompt action to address the inherent challenge.
While responding to this anomaly, the former Project Coordinator noted that the Zonal Representative Committee and the Central Representative Advisory Committee(CRAC) of HYPREP had been deployed to handle the issue in accordance with the Project’s peace building policy instead of employing force.
On the call for the Project to employ more technical hands, he hinted that recommendations to that effect had already been presented to the Governing Council for consideration and approval.
Among personalities who attended the meeting was the Head of Reference Laboratory of the National Oil Spill! Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA), Dr Kenneth Aroh, who represented the agency.
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Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has said his administration will continue to collaborate with the navy for effective protection of the waterways.
Otu stated this when the Commandant, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, Commodore Shuaib Ahmed, visited him in Calabar.
The Governor described the visit as critical to consolidating the partnership between Cross River State and the navy.
“Peace and stability remain non-negotiable prerequisites for the progress of the state.
“So, this visit reaffirms our shared resolve to keep the state safe and secured through sustained collaboration,” he said.
Otu stated that security remained the foundation for meaningful development in every society.
“No society prospers in the midst of insecurity. As a state, our development vision depends on peace, order and collective vigilance,” he said.
The Governor commended the Navy for the level of professionalism being exuded by its personnel in the discharge of their duties.
He said the Navy’s efforts had hugely boosted investor confidence and strengthened the state’s economic environment.
The Governor assured the Navy of the state government’s continued support towards enhanced operation.
Earlier, Ahmed explained that the visit followed the military tradition of familiarizing with authorities upon assumption of duties.
He stated that it was crucial to align naval operations with the strategic priorities of the state government.
The naval chief thanked the state government for its support to the force, saying, “your support has helped us immensely in achieving targets”
The Commandant further said there was need to strengthen infrastructure and communication systems in order to address evolving security challenges.
“Operationalising key naval facilities will improve our capacity to tackle maritime crimes.
“The Navy is committed to supporting the state in ensuring the safety and security of the waterways.
“We shall continue to promote peace while enabling the residents to carry out their lawful activities without fear,” he said.
The Agbura Community of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, has again lauded the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and the Managing-Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, over infrastructure projects executed in the community.
Speaking with newsmen midweek in Yenagoa, its Chairman, Community Development Committee, Mr. Tribunal Egba, hailed the Governor for the successful completion of the abandoned Oxbow lake-Agbura Road project and others within the Community.
He also eulogized the NDDC MD for the construction of new lodge in the community for serving Corps members as well as plans to execute other projects.
Mr. Egba added that the completion of the Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road has given the community facelift, while also pleading with the government and the interventionist agency to award shore protection contract in the community to save it from the perennial floodings experienced in the fast urbanizing town.
Similarly, the community’s leadership has given assurances that it will continue to give priority to development and security of lives and property.
The CDC helmsman promised to strengthen the existing community vigilante group, while also stressing that the age-long synergy between the community and security agencies would be improved upon to get rid of crime and criminalities in the area.
“As a community, we’re so thankful to Governor Diri for constructing the abandoned Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road project. We’re also glad with the level of infrastructural development ongoing in other parts of the state, courtesy of the Diri-led administration.
“We also like to laud the MD/CEO, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for the construction of a befitting Corpers lodge for Corps members serving in this community.
“Our priority as a community now is to protect these infrastructure projects. We’ll continue to work in synergy with all security agencies to make sure there’s peace and development”, the CDC leadership said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Delta State Government has expressed deep sadness over the sudden death of Mr. Sunny Kotor, Senior Special Assistant on Protocol to the State Government.
Kotor, a renowned Master of Ceremony at state functions, reportedly slumped and passed away last Friday.
In a statement signed by the Delta State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, in Warri on Saturday, his passing was described as “a profound loss; not only to his family, but to the Government and people of Delta State who benefited immensely from his professionalism, composure, and unmistakable presence at official engagements.
“He brought dignity, structure, and excellence to every function he handled, leaving behind a standard that will be difficult to forget,” the statement added.
The Commissioner noted that “every passing is indeed a sobering reminder of how fragile and fleeting life can be,” extending heartfelt condolences to Kotor’s family, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of working with him.
The statement prayed that God would grant them the strength to bear the irreparable loss.