Environment Minister, Balarabe Commissions Water Project In OgoniLand

…Calls For Protection Of Project

From David Onuoja, Abuja

NEWSDALYNIGERIA: In pursuit of a sustainable and healthy future, access to clean water and robust healthcare which is a foundational pillars of life; the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has commissioned a water scheme project in OgoniLand in fulfilment of its earlier promise to visit the Community and discuss some environmental issues.

He said, the water project is a symbol of the ministry’s commitment in providing clean and accessible water to the people of Ogoniland; saying, clean water is not a luxury but a fundamental human right reason the project is a testament to “our dedication to ensuring this right is for all citizens”.

Lawal added that, because of the paramount of the health facilities in Ogoniland which underscores the importance of a robust healthcare system. The well-being of “our citizens is paramount and investing in healthcare infrastructure is an investment in the prosperity and vitality of our communities.

“As we commission this water scheme and assess our health facilities, let us remember that our collective efforts are building blocks for a healthier environment and a more resilient community.

“The challenges ahead are significant but our determination is unwavering and collectively we will overcome all future obstacles. May this initiative serve as a beacon of progress and cooperation, fostering a future where the people of Ogoni can thrive in a clean and healthy environment”, he said.

He commended the Traditional Rulers as he urged them to continue to render their support and cooperation to Government in order to achieve on the collective goal of providing a healthier, cleaner and safer environment in their communities.

Balarabe Lawal also applauded His Majesty, King Festus Bagia, Gberemane of Gonkana for receiving him and his team.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, King Festus Bagia, Gberemane of Gonkana while receiving the minister said “we have high hope that you will bring your wide expertise in infrastructural development into the Ministry of Environment, particularly the HYPREP Project, this is the hope of the common man in Ogoni land with a view of recovering the Shell stock land and our streams.

“In the midst of our high hope Sir, we sincerely crave your indulgence that you timorously save the project from all pending challenges that is capable of delaying the project. Sir, we are calling on you to remove the Gokana representative in the Central Representative Advisory Committee (CRAC) Mene Stephen Kpea currently representing the traditional institution and indeed the king of Gokana kingdom, and whose functions include but not limited to resolving issues in Gokana communities, given HYPREP the enabling environment to executive their mandate in which he fail and neglect to so do thus, creating more crises in the communities.

“To this end we call for his immediate removal and replacement by another Traditional Ruler to be appointed by the King, to breach the gab in communication between HYPREP and the King and the entire Gokana Divisional Council of Traditional Rulers.
Worst still; the failure of the (CRAC) representative, has resulted into a complete failure of Zonal Representative Committee in Gokana (ZRC).

“Sir, the ZRC in Gokana needs to the reconstituted, to allow the king and Gokana Divisional Council of Traditional rulers select notable traditional rulers of Peace, that can work together with CRAC for a result oriental stcp towards the actualization of the mandate of HYPREP. The present CRAC and ZRC representative were personally hand pick without the knowledge of the King and members of Gokana Divisional Council of Traditional Rulers. Ironically Sir, some of them are now the problem to be solved instead of them solving problem in Gokana Ringom, Thus delaying the speed and progress of work.

“We appreciate the effort so taken on the Livelihood programme. Provision of alternative Livelihood training for communities whose sources of income were imparted by oil spill is a key mandate of HYPREP project, we call on your support and constant monitoring of this programmes bringing to an end the dad days of oil bunkering (Kpo fire) and destruction of our land for a second time.

“We are convinced that if our Youths are fully equipped with good starter pack after the training, then our land will be safe and develop.

“Hon. minster Sir, water they say is life, good water is good life. We call on you to create a monitoring team that will function as a regulatory tearn to supervise the activities of our contractor’s, this is as a result of the series of complaints from our various communities. The Gokana kingdom project monitoring team, set up by the king is fully equipped with Manpower to discharge this function.

“As always, we assure you that the King and the entire Gokana Divisional Council of Traditional Rulers will ensure peace on the project”, he declared.