FG Seeks Community Ownership For New Water Projects in Ogoni

The Federal Government has commissioned four new water projects in Ogoniland, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recommendations on Ogoni Environment.

The projects, located in Bodo, Uegwere-Boue, Taabaa, and Eteo communities in Gokana, Khana, and Eleme Local Government Areas, will provide clean and safe water to thousands of residents, addressing long-standing health and environmental concerns in the region.

Commissioning the water projects, the Minister of Environment and Chairman of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) Governing Council, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, urged the communities to take ownership of the facilities and safeguard them against vandalism.

Lawal emphasized that the sustainability of the projects begins with community stewardship, stressing that access to clean water is a fundamental human right.

The Minister noted that the provision of water to communities underscores a shared commitment to the health, dignity and well-being of the Ogoni people. He reaffirmed the FG’s commitment to the full implementation of the UNEP Report and the sustainable development of Ogoni, 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, Minister Lawal stated that the actualisation of the projects attests to stakeholders collaboration and collective resolve, adding that the projects symbolize hope, equity and justice for communities that have long endured the consequences of environmental degradation.

Meanwhile, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, Project Coordinator of HYPREP, has said the water commissioning is part of HYPREP’s contribution to the Renewed Hope national agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s as driven by the Hon Minister of Environment.

Professor Zabbey, announced that stakeholders interests for and acceptability of HYPREP has remarkably increased, describing it as indicative of growing confidence and ownership of the Project by the people. He stated that Project is deepening stakeholders engagement, strengthening monitoring and evaluation, reinforcing transparency and accountability, while pushing to ensure that the benefits of the Project reaches every single corner of Ogoniland.

Beyond remediation, livelihood, public health interventions among other project, the PC explained that HYPREP has significantly expanded its peacebuilding efforts in line with the Project’s mandate which has helped to foster unity, stability and collaboration across Ogoni.

Goodwill messages from the MD/CEO of Renaissance Africa Energy Limited, Engr Tony Attah, represented by Mr Igo Weli, General Manager, Relations & Sustainable Development, Chief Hon. Kenneth Kobani, Legborsi Saro Pyagbara, Gbenemene Tai Kingdom, HM Samuel Nne, paid glowing tributes to HYPREP for the successes recorded. Also in attendance were the DG of NESREA, Professor Innocent Barikor and other eminent Ogoni sons and daughters.

The Hon Minister of Environment also commissioned the Gokana Area Office, an initiate of HYPREP to foster Project-Community relationship.

Interestingly, with the latest commissioning, HYPREP is now providing potable water to 40 communities and hopes to cover more by the end of the year.

FG Seeks Community Ownership For New Water Projects in Ogoni is first published on The Whistler Newspaper