The federal government has asked HYPREP and communities in Ogoni land to secure the newly launched water projects in the area.
The government gave the charge during the launch of 4 additional water projects in Bodo, Uegwere-Boue, Taabaa and Eteo in Gokana, Khana and Eleme LGAs.
The launch was the determination of the federal government to the full implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on Ogoni Environment.
At the commissioning in Bodo, the Hon Minister of Environment and Chairman of HYPREP Governing Council, 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.
The Minister noted that providing water to communities underscores a shared commitment to the health, dignity and well-being of the Ogoni people. He reaffirmed the government’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 symbolise 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, as driven by the Hon Minister of Environment.
Professor 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 stated that 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 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.
