Minister’s Planned Visit: Forum Advises Ogonis Against Protest

The President of Ogoni Ex-Artisanal Refiners Forum, Mr Humphrey Domka, has advised the people of Ogoni, particularly the youths to resist the temptation of engaging in protest against the Minister of Environment’s planned visit to Ogoniland to commission some completed water projects in the area.

Domka, who gave the warning while reacting to comments made by some groups in Ogoniland on plans to carry out protest to stop the Minister from coming to Ogoni, said such a protest is capable of damaging the image of Ogoniland.

He warned groups in Ogoni planning protest against the coming of the Minister ahead of the commissioning of water projects executed by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPPREP) to desist from such action, saying, it is capable of damaging the image of Ogoniland and causing incalculable setbacks to the numerous milestones already achieved in the area.

He also said protesting against the coming of the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, to commission some of the water projects executed by HYPREP would only portray Ogoniland in bad light.

The Ogoni ex-artisanal president also emphasised that HYPREP, as a reputable government agency has carried out numerous projects and livelihood programmes in Ogoniland as well as meaningfully engaged Ogoni youths in tandem with its core mandate and the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP).

Domka further called on the youths of Ogoni communities to shun any form of distraction during the commissioning of some water facilities in the area by the Federal Government, and embrace progress for the growth and development of Ogoni communities.