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‘HYPREP, Committed To Sustainable Ecosystem, Peace, Dev In Ogoniland’
The Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof Nenibarini Zabbey has maintained that the project, through the plethora of projects and programmes it is undertaking, is committed to the sustainable ecosystem, peace and development of Ogoniland.
Zabbey stated this when he presented a status update brief to the Ogoni community and other diaspora stakeholders in the United States of America at the November 10th Anniversary organised by MOSOP USA Chapter, as part of HYPREP’s strategic stakeholder engagement and inclusivity.
“It is our desire to see sustainable ecosystem, peace and development in Ogoniland. Since 2017, the Federal Government of Nigeria through HYPREP has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure that the people of Ogoniland live in a clean and economically viable environment. We believe that a clean environment is the gateway to the realisation of other goals and this platform – the 2023 commemoration – offers innovative and new workable model for stakeholder engagement and co-operation for the achievement of these set goals,’’ he said.
On livelihood, he mentioned the provision of sustainable livelihoods vis-à-vis training of 5,000 Ogoni women and youths in 20 different skill sets, training of 100 youths in mega skill areas of aviation, mechatronics, seafaring and creative arts. The first sets of 30 youths in the aviation training have been certified. Also, the project has carried out a survey of small and medium scale businesses in Ogoniland. In August 2023, HYPREP as part of its sustainable livelihood programme provided business interventions funds to 60 Ogoni small business owners.
Similarly, the commissioning of the Barako water station, one of the six water projects in the Phase 1 scheme is a demonstration of the Project’s commitment to provide potable water that meets World Health Organisation’s (WHO) standards. This is in addition to the earlier commissioned Alesa Water Station that is supplying water to the community and its environs.
He said the four other water stations in Bori, Kpean, Korokoro and Ebubu are nearing completion and ready for commissioning.
The Project Coordinator noted that another 14 water schemes that would supply water to 52 Ogoni communities are ongoing.
“It goes without saying that the construction of the fourteen water schemes will create job opportunities for the youths in these communities and thus reduce the burden of unemployment. During the construction works, plumbing and other relevant skills would be passed on to the locals who stand the chance of learning lifelong economic skills for their economic empowerment’’, he explained.
On the progress made in remediation, the Project Coordinator said, “The Ogoni clean-up project has progressed consistently from the first contracts of 21 lots in Phase 1 Batch 1 to 29 lots in Phase 1 Batch 2. We have closed out 36 lots, while 14 lots are at different stages of completion. We have also awarded contracts for tier 2 assessment for other sites that gave us concerns which we allotted into seven lots. In the Phase 2 remediation, the scope of work includes the preliminary works, site reassessment and characterisation by the contractors. The main contract has two stages: the contractors will do distinct site characterisation and remediation of both soil and groundwater. Which will culminate in the planting of mangroves being the natural flora in this area while taking into consideration their natural patterns”.
He further indicated that the planting of mangroves which is a key component of the shoreline remediation works will furnish locals with mangrove nursing skills and the economic benefits that come with it. According to him, the Ogoni people are already being trained in the nursing of mangroves. We plan to restore three thousand (3,000) hectares of oil-degraded mangrove in Ogoniland. This will involve the planting of about 10 million mangrove seedlings, which will be the world’s largest restoration of oil-degraded mangroves. Much of the mangrove planting will be done following shoreline cleanup delineated into 34 lots. The pilot planting on approximately 600 ha of shores in Bomu community has been awarded to nine contractors. The areas earmarked for immediate mangrove revegetation have been identified through site characterisation using the Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique (SCAT)’’.
He said all of these are running alongside the special projects, namely: the Ogoni Power Project, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER) and the 100 Bed Specialist Hospital. He expressed optimism that these projects will gradually turn Ogoniland into a construction site with the resultant effect on the local economy and income of households.
Zabbey noted that these legacy projects will have far reaching benefits and address core concerns on health, sustainable livelihood, human capital development and environmental restoration.
He stated that the Project has maintained effective supervision, monitoring and evaluation to ensure value for money.
The Project Coordinator, however, expressed worries on the challenges bedevilling the smooth implementation of the projects and called for more stakeholders’ collaboration in addressing the issues.
He disclosed that HYPREP is institutionalising the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in resolving community issues and will continue to engage communities through sensitisation programmes, town hall meetings and interactive sessions.
He equally noted that HYPREP’s mission statement is simple: that all Ogoni people regardless of their status, creed or location should be a part of the clean-up process and benefit accordingly.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.