By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has appealed to Ogoni ex-refiners artisanal , youth groups not to further engage in acts of re-polluting the environment.
The project said it
committed to providing sustainable alternatives means of livelihood to the people to them .
Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, made this known while speaking at a sensitization forum tagged; “Clean-up: Gains, Sustainability and Prosperity of Ogoniland,” held in Eleme LGA recently.
Prof . Zabbey disclosed that
the engagement was meant to ensure collaborative efforts against re-pollution in Ogoni.
The Project Coordinator, who was represented by the Director of Technical Services, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi, enumerated the damage done to the land by engaging in illegal bunkering and related activities.
He noted that the objective of the programme was to completely move perpetrators away from the previous acts of environmental pollution and guide them towards a proper cause for livelihood changes.
While commending the Ex-Artisanal refiners for heeding to the call for attitudinal change on livelihood choices, the PC said HYPREP is willing to work with the youths and Ex Artisanal refiners to ensure there is no more active artisanal refining activities in the area.
“So, we are encouraging you to keep doing what you are currently doing, and we will continue to engage you according to the commitment we made to give you specialized training. You will have significant advantages and alternative livelihoods that will make you stay away from artisanal refining forever”, he stated.
Also speaking, one of the Facilitators of the Ex Artisanal Refiners Sensitization Programme, Dr. Elvis Ikoma, said the event was a continuation of previous efforts to stop re-pollution, adding that the group has recorded significant successes in the sensitization of the youths since its inception.
The Key note Speaker, Prof. Dinebari Badey, highlighted livelihood opportunities the ex artisanal refiners need to explore.
HYPREP has continued to engage ex-artisanal refiners as part of its efforts to provide them with alternative sustainable livelihoods while consolidating the gains of the Ogoni Cleanup Programme.
