Niger Delta
Mrs Imoke Flags Off De-worming Exercise
A total of ninety thousand children in Cross River State between the ages of 2- 17 years are said to have so far benefited from the de-worming exercise flagged-off by the wife of the state governor, Mrs Obioma Liyel-Imoke.
Performing the de-worming exercise at the three designated centres of Yakurr, Akpabuyo, the Ogoja Local Government Headquarters, the governor’s wife explained that five thousand de-worming tablets have been given to each local government chairperson and their primary Health Care Co-ordinaors.
She charged them to make sure every child in their community is de-wormed, pointing out that the de-worming exercise was made possible through the collaborative effort of one of her initiatives, as FAC (A state Fit For A Child), UNICEF, State Ministry of Health and that of Women Affairs.
Mrs Imoke disclosed that the state has declared an aggressive war on parasitic worm infestation in children by carrying out a campaign against worms through a six month periodic de-worming exercise, stating that this was part of the effort by asFAC to make sure Cross River is fit for a child.
According to her, one of the cardinal objectives of asFAC is to look after the children in the state as well as make sure they grow well, eat well, even while in the womb, stay alive and stay healthy enough to enroll in school.
Towards this end, she said the state government has made primary education free in the state to enable every child acquire basic education.
The governor’s wife noted that worms are detrimental to children’s health, their cognitive development, education as well as a brighter future for them.
She explained that worms deprive children of essential nutrients, leaving them malnourished, tired and unable to concentrate or attend to school activities.
“It also makes them physically stunted and retarded mentally,” she said, expressing optimism over the gains of de-worming, and promised to carry the war against worms to every part of the state.
Speaking separately, the chairmen of Yakurr, Akpabuyo and Ogoja local government areas, respectively pledged their readiness to assist in carrying out the campaign to every door-step in their communities to enable parents bring out their children for de-worming.
They also used the occasion to thank the Governor’s wife for the HIV test kits distributed to each local government area to enable everyone know his/her HIV status.
Speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Edet Ikpi, who was represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry of Health, Dr Phillip Obaji, said according to World Health Organisation (WHO), the high rate of death is more among children between the ages of 5 and below and pregnant women.
He attributed the high infant and maternal rate to lack of blood caused by worms.
The commissioner enumerated the kinds of worms to include tapeworm, roundworm, and hookworm and noted that children with worms usually have protruded stomach, are hungry and forgetful.
Also in her speech, the commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Ekama Awara, emphasised the commitment of the present administration in encouraging immunisation for proper growth of children in the state.
She thus urged parents to key into the de-worming exercise by getting their children de-wormed.
The governor’s wife also extended the fight against worms in children to the military at 145BTN Nigeria Army, Eburutu Barrack and the Nigeria Police Force Area Command, Otop Abasi, which were distributed points for both Military and Para-Military formations.
She explained that the reason was to ensure that every segment of the society is covered by the de-worming exercise.
She assured that this segment of the society will always be carried along in every Government House activity.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) is installing ICT equipment in five designated secondary schools in Ogoniland in Rivers State.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Neinibarini Zabbey, who dropped this hint during the commissioning of two water projects in Beeri Community and Bunu Community by the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said the installation of ICT equipment in five designated secondary schools is part of the pilot phase of HYPREP’s Information Technology-supported classroom project.
He noted that the project held the kick-off meeting penultimate week as a necessary first step toward implementing the socio-economic study of Ogoniland, stressing that these interventions align with the long-term effort to create sustainable alternative livelihood for oil-impacted communities in Ogoniland.
He said HYPREP is also engaging in innovative research to enhance the science and practice of remediation and restoration, as it intentionally builds the capacity of Ogoni youths and women.
According to him, this includes research to improve post-remediation soil fertility with biofertilizers made from indigenous microbes, restore the West African cockle, and utilise biodegradable bags in mangrove nurseries to prevent plastic pollution.
The Project Coordinator disclosed that the Beeri water facility with a tank capacity of 900, 000 litres will serve seven communities while the Bunu water project, with a capacity of 850,000 litres will serve three communities, stressing that access to clean water is a fundamental human right in sync with UN SDG6(clean water and sanitation).
He said the commissioning ceremony also proves that HYPREP is making significant progress in the Ogoni cleanup implementation process, as it remains focused on meeting set timelines for project completion.
Zabbey noted that across Ogoniland, over 100 HYPREP projects are at advance stages of completion, and expressed delight that the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration is now at 79 percent completion.
He equally indicated that as of today, HYPREP has planted 1,279,139 mangrove seedlings, as part of its efforts to restore oil-degraded mangroves in Ogoniland, saying the mangrove restoration programme is ecologically sound and community-driven.
“These efforts align with our broader vision of ensuring that the people of Ogoniland enjoy a cleaner and healthier environment that supports economic activities and other needs,” he said.
At 30.8 percent of the job completion rate in phase 1 of the shoreline cleanup, he said, “we observe the gradual recovery of livelihood and indicator species, such as periwinkles, oysters, crabs and mud skippers, adding that some community people have shared similar testimonies, expressing their excitement on social media at the return of the food species.
He further disclosed that HYPREP has provided medical equipment, including radiology, life support systems, theatre equipment, surgical instruments and microbiology equipment in order to strengthen the capacity of some health facilities in Ogoniland.
According to him, HYPREP has also installed complementing 30KVA solar power sources at Bori General Hospital; Terebor General Hospital; Kpite Health Centre; and Nchia General Hospital.
He equally hinted that the planning for the comprehensive health impact study has advanced, and implementation by the World Health Organisation(WHO) is expected to begin in the second quarter of the year.
He said the distribution of start-up packs to 5,000 Ogoni women and youths trained in 21 skill areas is almost concluded.
Zabbey thanked the Minister of Environment for his strategic guidance and leadership, which have been essential in keeping HYPREP on track; and the Minister of Regional Development, Engr Abubakar Momoh; the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall; members of HYPREP Governing Council; as well as Chairman and members of the Ogoni Trust Fund for their support.
While emphasising that HYPREP’s work goes beyond infrastructures and environmental remediation, the Project Coordinator said, as outlined in the official Gazette establishing the project, ensuring security and promoting peace building efforts in affected communities remain at the core of HYPREP’s mandate.
“We recognise that the Ogoni restoration effort and the broader sustainable development of the area cannot flourish without peace, which is why HYPREP has continued to actively implement initiatives that foster dialogue, reconciliation and community engagement,” he said.
On the strength of this, he said the Project Coordination Office had trained Ogoni traditional rulers and key stakeholders to advocate for Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR), adding that the training had a widespread impact, allowing beneficiaries to effectively emerging conflicts and other challenges at the community level, contending that the training would continue this year, as the project strives to empower more traditional rulers and additional key stakeholders, to constructively address conflict, enhance community engagement and develop conflict resolution mechanisms that promote peace and harmony in the public interest.
He revealed that HYPREP has faced challenges like restricted access to polluted sites, targeted misinformation, chieftaincy disputes, baseless court cases and other actions that have sometimes slowed project activities.
Also speaking, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said the commissioning of the water projects is “a testament of our unwavering commitment to sustainable peace and development as well as remediation and restoration of Ogoniland.”
While expressing gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to environmental sustainability and restoration of Ogoniland, said his leadership has ensured that the recommendations of the UNEP report are not only implemented but expedited to bring tangible benefits to the Ogoni people.
He noted that the President’s commitment to peace, environmental justice and socio-economic empowerment in Ogoniland has been a beacon of hope for communities long affected by environmental degradation, stressing that access to clean and potable water is not just a necessity but a fundamental human right.
According to him, water projects delivered under HYPREP are part of the Federal Government’s commitment to the restoration of Ogoniland.
Through HYPREP, he said, “we are not only remediating polluted sites but also ensuring that communities benefit from clean water supply, improved healthcare and sustainable livelihoods,” contending that the contamination of water sources due to Hydrocarbon pollution has devastating consequences on the health and livelihoods of the people of Ogoniland, as the provision of potable water to the communities is a critical step towards improving public health, reducing water borne diseases and enhancing the overall quality of life, saying it also signifies a renewed commitment to ensuring that the people of Ogoniland reap the full benefits of the environmental remediation efforts.
“We will continue to ensure that communities in Ogoniland have access to clean, safe and sustainable drinking water. With this initiative, but restoring hope and dignity to communities being deprived of this essential need.Let me emphasise that water projects like this is only one of many incentives planned under the comprehensive remediation efforts in Ogoniland.We remain committed to ensuring that other critical needs such as healthcare, education and economic empowerment are addressed to create a sustainable future for the people of the region,” he said, and assured the people that HYPREP will continue to deliver it’s mandate efficiently, ensuring transparency, accountability and community involvement in all aspects of the remediation process.
Lawal commended the management of HYPREP under the leadership of Prof Neinibarini Zabbey for the relentless commitment and efforts towards the actualisation of the water projects, and appealed to the people to take ownership of the various projects.
Donatus Ebi