Nigerian government restates commitment to implement UNEP Ogoniland report

Zeniat Abubakar,  Abuja

The Nigerian government says it is committed to the full implementation of the recommendations in the United Nations Environment Program, UNEP,  report on Ogoniland in Southern Nigeria.

Following this, the government in collaboration with United Nations Environment Program, UNEP is organizing a 2-Day retreat with critical stakeholders comprising of members of UNEP, representatives of the Joint Venture Partners and management staff of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP.

The retreat, which will hold in Abuja on 17th and 19th March, 2022, will provide opportunity for UNEP to present the recommendations earlier made on the report as been presented to the Nigerian government in 2011, as well as present the Federal Government Gazette on the establishment of HYPREP.

The Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor said the retreat is expected to reposition HYPREP to function more effectively to deliver to the Ogoni people the benefits of the project.

“The President has assured the people of Ogoni, the Niger Delta, Nigeria and the International community that his government is still committed to the full implementation of the recommendations in the United Nations Environment Program, UNEP, Report on Ogoniland, eleven years after the report was submitted to the Federal Government of Nigeria.” Ikeazor stated.

The Minister added that the government will ensure that the project recovers lost time and delivers on its mandate.