As the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) continued on its mandates of remediating oil impacted sites in Ogoniland, the agency has called on Ogoni Ex-Artisanal Refiners and other youth groups to intensify the campaign against re-pollution of the environment.
Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, while speaking at a Sensitization Forum tagged “Clean-up: Gains, Sustainability and Prosperity of Ogoniland,” held in Eleme LGA l, Rivers State, restated the Projects commitment to providing sustainable alternative means of livelihood to the people, appealing to them not to desist from engaging in acts of that further re-pollutes the environment.
The engagement is part of HYPREP’s continued effort with the ex-artisanal refiners as part of its efforts geared towards providing them with alternative sustainable livelihoods while consolidating the gains of the Ogoni Cleanup Programme.
Zabbey, who was represented at the event by the Director of Technical Services, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi, highlighted the damage done by illegal bunkering and other related activities, noting that the objective of the programme was to completely move perpetrators away from their previous acts that pollutes the environment and guide them towards a proper cause for livelihood changes.
The PC who commended the ex-artisanal refiners for heeding to the call for attitudinal change on livelihood choices, said HYPREP is willing to work with them and other youths to ensure that artisanal refining activities in the area is ended completely.
“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 they have recorded significant successes in the sensitization of the youths since its inception.
Keynote Speaker at the event, Prof. Dinebari Badey, highlighted some livelihood opportunities the ex-artisanal refiners need to explore for survival.
Meanwhile, as the world grapples with the impact of plastic pollution, the HYPREP PC, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey has recommended the adoption of the models used by the Project in the Ogoni Cleanup to tackle plastic pollution, particularly developing local capacity, using a community-based approach and its innovative research on the use of biodegradable bags (Growcoon) in nursing mangrove seedlings to avoid single-use plastic bags.
He made the recommendation while speaking as one of the panellists at the Breakfast Debate and Prize Remittance Ceremony organised by the French Embassy to mark the International Environment Day at the French Institute, Abuja. Professor Zabbey alongside other debaters, namely Prof. Aina Adedogun (University of Ibadan) and Mr. Nyananso Ekanem (Weircapacity), discussed on the topic “From the Lagos Lagoon to the Côte d’Azur in Nice: A Shared Responsibility in the Face of Plastic Pollution.”
