By Pius Dukor
As the environmental remediation exercise in Ogoni reaches the stage of shoreline clean up and mangrove planting, coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Neeniibari Zabbey, has tasked Ogoni youths to stay clear off illegal bunkering, as this could hamper the on-going clean up in the area.
Prof. Zabbey made this known at the 1st Quarter Interactive Session with Ogoni youths in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
In his remarks at the event, the HYPREP boss condemned the activities of some disgruntled elements among the youths, noting that such illegal bunkering activities could hinder the progress of the work so far achieved by HYPREP.
He maintained that the interactive session with the Ogoni youths was part of his promise to update them on all necessary information concerning the clean up, noting that the youths have a key role to play in the actualisation of the clean up, while calling for their support, as he promised to include them in the process.
Zabbey explained that there have been significant progress especially in the area of supply of portable water in Ebubu in Eleme LGA, Korokoro in Tai and Kpean in Khana local government areas.
The coordinator further said the Ogoni Shoreline Clean up is ready to take place in B.Dere, K.Dere and Bomu all in Gokana LGA, while the Ogoni Specialist Hospital in Tai is in progress to provide quality healthcare to the people.
On the issue of Livelihood Training component of the clean-up, he said that after their training a starter pack will be provided with transportation, while praising the youths for their support on this transmission journey, adding that “we will affect a meaningful change together.”
The HYPREP coordinator told participants that currently the Centre of Excellence is providing jobs to over 700 youths as mangrove restoration has started in Bomu community.
When asked about the Ogoni electricity project, the coordinator assured the youths that it is on-going, noting that most of the equipment involved in the project is source from outside the country. The electricity power project is on course at Wiiyaakara in Khana and the Bodo-City sub-station at Gokana, he said.
Answering question on contracts to Ogoni youths, he promised to train them on procurement, noting without complying with the 2007 Procurement Act the contract aspect will elude them, while urging the youths to use this opportunity to advance their education, knowledge and improve on their economic prowess as the Clean-up project has a life span.
