BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
Committed to improved livelihoods, the federal government has promised to recruit Ogoni youths as Environment Surveillance Officers (ESOs) towards the successful clean-up of oil impacted areas in the Niger Delta.
The Minister of State for Environment, Barr Sharon Ikeazor stated this in Bori, Khana local government area of Rivers State today at a parley with community leaders, youths, women groups and other stakeholders from Ogoniland.
She said that the federal government is keen on working with the youths and women groups to enable them acquire the requisite skills and be empowered for sustainable living.
This is even as she vowed to address the issues raised by the community about the on-going remediation of oil impacted sites in Ogoniland, which is implemented by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
Ikeazor explained that the essence of the parley was to seek their input on areas of improvement for enhanced service delivery in line with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report.
According to her, "I know that we are behind schedule in some key areas, and I appreciate the concerns you will raise here today about the project, as this will help us to work together to fast track the process, taking into consideration the benefits to the communities.”
These were contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Environment, Saghir el Mohammed.
Also, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Philip Shekwolo highlighted the successful remediation of some areas, provision of potable water, livelihood training programmmes and among others.
In his contribution, the Gbenemene of Tai Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Godwin N. K. Gininwa said, though HYPREP was not only established for Ogoni people but the welfare of the community should be prioritised, having suffered many years from environmental degradation.
He appealed to the federal government to commence work on the proposed University of Environment to be sited in Ogoniland, saying that it will place the community at a vantage position in managing the environment.
On his part, the former President, Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), who is also a member of GBO KABAARI, Barr. Ledum Mitee requested for more livelihood opportunities in Ogoniland.
He said, "What we do that does not affect the life of our people is not clean-up. I will call what is happening here a patronage mechanism and we need to diffuse it and make it inclusive for the effect of the clean up to be felt by Ogoni people”.
Mitee also sought the establishment of industries in the Niger Delta region that will absorb unemployed persons from the community.
Speaking on behalf of Chairmen of Gokana, Eleme and Tai councils, the Chairman of Khana local government area, Hon Bariere Thomas pledged their commitment towards the successful clean-up exercise.
He appealed to HYPREP to commence the construction of Centre of Excellence as outlined in the UNEP report, just as he commended the minister on the pragmatic steps taken to rejuvenate HYPREP.
"On behalf of my colleagues, I assure you that we are impressed with your leadership as we have seen humility, commitment and sincerity of purpose in your approach."
The minister later inspected the Alesa water station and some remediated sites in Alode, Eleme.
She was satisfied with the progress of work at the sites especially as some remediated areas have flourishing vegetation, an indication of the regenerated ecosystem.
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