Nation
Minister Commissions Four Water Projects In Ogoniland …Harps On Community Ownership
The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, last Thursday commissioned four additional water projects in four Ogoni communities in Rivers State, stressing the need for the communities to take full ownership of the projects by protecting them.
Indeed, the commissioning ceremony, which took place in Bodo City, witnessed another landmark achievement in the commitment of the Federal Government to the full implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on Ogoni environment, specifically in the provision of potable water to communities, following the commissioning of the water projects in Bodo, Uegwere-Boue, Taabaa and Eteo Communities in Gokana, Khana and Eleme Local Government Areas, respectively.
While commissioning the gigantic water projects in Bodo, the Minister of Environment and Chairman of HYPREP Governing Council, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, urged the communities to work with HYPREP, own and safeguard the facilities against vandalism, stressing that the sustainability of the projects begins with community stewardship.
He noted that providing water to communities underscores a shared commitment to the health, dignity and well-being of the Ogoni people, and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the full implementation of the UNEP Report and the sustainable development of Ogoniland, correct historical wrongs and deliver genuine remediation, development and renewal to affected communities.
Acknowledging the contributions of traditional and youth leaders, NGOs and Renaissance/JV partners, the Minister noted that the actualisation of the projects attests to stakeholders’ collaboration and collective resolve, adding that the projects symbolise hope, equity and justice for communities that have long endured the consequences of environmental degradation.
Meanwhile,the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, has noted that the water commissioning is part of HYPREP’s contribution to the Renewed Hope National Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as driven by the Minister of Environment.
Zabbey announced that stakeholders’ interests in and acceptability of HYPREP have remarkably increased, describing it as indicative of growing confidence and ownership of the Project by the people.
He said the Project is deepening stakeholders’ engagement, strengthening monitoring and evaluation, reinforcing transparency and accountability, while pushing to ensure that the benefits of the Project reach every single corner of Ogoniland.
Beyond remediation, livelihood, public health interventions, among other projects, the Project Coordinator explained that HYPREP has significantly expanded its peace building efforts in line with the Project’s mandate, which has helped to foster unity, stability and collaboration across Ogoniland.
Goodwill messages from the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Limited, Engr Tony Attah, who was represented by General Manager, Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr Igo Weli; Chief Kenneth Kobani; Mr Legborsi Saro Pyagbara; and Gbenemene Tai Kingdom, King Samuel Nne, paid glowing tributes to HYPREP for the successes recorded.
Also in attendance were the Director General of the National Environment Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency(NESREA), Prof Innocent Barikor and other eminent Ogoni sons and daughters.
The Minister also commissioned the Gokana Area Office, an initiative of HYPREP, to foster project-community relationships; presented symbolic cook stoves to fisher folk-a programme aimed at reducing dependence on mangroves for firewood; and visited the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER).
With the latest commissioning, HYPREP has now provided potable water to 40 communities and hopes to cover more by the end of the year.
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to embark on the water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Rivers state
The Group called on the Rivers state government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously as the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people
The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the council to assist in making the project a reality and attracts more developmental projects to the city
This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn alongside Mark Ojuka,Chairman of Buguma and Hon Sandra Owunari JP Chairman Obuama and monitored by our correspondent
Comrade Ojuka also called on the Management of Liquidifed Natural Gas NLG to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kala bari communities to improve their health status
He appealed to LNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting the company is doing same in Bonny, abandoning Kalabari communities
“We need contracts, free medical, scholarships and employment including skill acquisition programs for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions ”
On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Ama Ma soldiers the city is more peaceful and investors friendly as the youths of area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area
“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”
He called on the Rivers state to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
“The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment”
“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence”
Also Speaking, Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn called for more improve in infrastructures in Kalabari community, especially in electricity
There is little improvement in terms of electricity in Buguma city
He decried the deplorable condition
of Buguma Health Centre, saying that the hospital is near functional
“Our sisters that are pregnant and our sick parents can not access the health centre for a better treatment ”
Describing the Health Centre as an eye saw, he called on Rivers state government and Buguma Local Government chairman Hon William to improve on facilities in the centre and make it more medically accessible to the sick persons in the area
Buguma, Tammy Bruce said is the spiritual headquarter of Kalabari people as such deserve more modern facilities from the government to improve lives
The Coordinator called on government, stakeholders and oil companies to assist and improve the poor infrastructural facilities in area
“We need first class hospitals, qualified medical doctors and nurses in the health centres and hospitals”
On the oil spilled in Obuoma Chairman MOSIEND Obuoma, Hon Sandra Owunari said the spill destroyed their crops and Rivers even polluted their only source of drinking water
She expressed displeasure that Rivers state government did not send any relief materials to the people in the affected community
On Chieftaincy title to women in Obuama, Hon Sandra Owunari said the community do not install Chieftaincy title to women, saying that Chieftaincy title is only reserved for men only in the community
CHINEDU WOSU
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