The Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Professor Innocent Barikor, has expressed appreciation to the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, for his commitment to the cleanup of Ogoniland.
Professor Barikor made this commendation during the commissioning of newly completed water facilities by the Minister in the Ogoni communities of Bodo, Uegwure-Boue, Taabaa, and Eteo, covering Gokana, Khana, Tai, and Eleme LGAs of Rivers State in Southern Nigeria.
“On behalf of my people, I want to thank you. I am a beneficiary of these projects. I assure you that Ogoni people are people who appreciate good things.
“We appreciate those who have contributed to who we are. We will continue to have your name in the annals of the history of our dear community,” he said.
Professor Barikor also commended the Project Coordinator for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Professor Nennibarini Abbey, adding that the HYPREP Coordinator has been able to strategically place and coordinate biodiversity reclamation and restoration in Ogoniland.
“In the history of the development of our people, this is perhaps the most strategic approach we have ever had in the attempt to implement the programmes of HYPREP.
“The Coordinator has been able to strategically place and coordinate biodiversity reclamation and restoration, and of course, this has also gone with improving the livelihood of the people,” he explained.
The NESREA DG added, “We have never had it so good before, and I believe if we continue to have him at the helm of affairs here, we are going to have more and more of these projects that are critical to the livelihood of the Ogoni people.”
In his keynote address, the Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Lawal, restated the commitment of the Nigerian Government to the restoration of Ogoniland.
The Minister emphasized that access to clean water is a fundamental human right and called on residents to take ownership of the facilities to ensure their sustainability.
He also commended the collaborative efforts of HYPREP, partners, traditional leaders, youth groups, and civil society for making the project a success.
The Minister also applauded the DG NESREA, Professor Innocent Barikor, for his role in promoting environmental sustainability in the country.