The Nigerian Government has called on the Governing Council of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and the Board of Trustees of the Ogoni Trust Fund to collaborate with stakeholders in order to fast-track the clean-up of Ogoniland.
According to the government, such collaboration would strengthen institutional effectiveness and consolidate the trust and confidence of the Ogoni people.
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, made this call at the joint meeting of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) Governing Council and the BoT of the Ogoni Trust Fund held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
He urged stakeholders to approach deliberations with unity, transparency, and accountability, guided by the broader goal of restoring the environment, improving public health, and enhancing the well-being of affected communities.
Lawal stressed that the Ogoni clean-up is not only a national duty but also an international model for environmental justice.
“Its success will demonstrate Nigeria’s integrity, capacity, and commitment to sustainable development.
“As you are no doubt aware, the Federal Government remains steadfast in addressing environmental degradation in Ogoniland and restoring livelihoods.
“The Governing Council of HYPREP and Board of Trustees of the Ogoni Trust Fund are vital instruments of accountability and hope, charged with transforming years of neglect into renewed hope, health, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability,” he said.
The Minister also called for synergy between the Governing Council and the BoT through harmonised strategies and aligned priorities to ensure timely and effective implementation of the clean-up.
He said the deliberations should focus on three priorities: transparency and accountability to build public trust, community engagement to ensure Ogoni people remain central as stakeholders and beneficiaries, and sustainability to deliver lasting solutions for health, economic empowerment, and resilience.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the HYPREP BoT, Mr. Emmanuel Deeyah, reaffirmed the new board’s unwavering commitment to the clean-up project and promised that stakeholders would work tirelessly to ensure its success.
He commended the Minister for his dedication, noting that he is the fourth minister the board has worked with.
“We express gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister’s speed and dedication to the project, which is already bearing fruit, while also highlighting a major challenge from the previous administration where contractors were paid but not on site, causing difficulties in explaining the situation to the local community,” he said.
Deeyah assured the Minister that the new appointees would not fail the country, the project, or the Ogoni people.
“While the Ogoni people felt neglected in the past, the clean-up project has given them hope,” he said.
He further stated that one of the board’s priorities would be to ensure contractors are paid on time, acknowledging the challenges posed by fluctuating currency.