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.