Ogoniland clean-up: FG inaugurates governing council, board of trustees’ as UNEP expresses optimism

The Federal Government of Nigeria today inaugurated the Governing Council and the Board of Trustees for Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) both of which are key governance structure required for the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report to clean –up Ogoniland.

The inauguration of the governing council and the board of Trustees for the clean- up exercise coincided with the 5^th year anniversary of the launch of the recommendations of the UNEP’s Assessment report of Ogoniland requested by the government and launched on August 4, 2011.

The Assessment, conducted over the course of two years, examined the environmental impact of oil industry operations in the area since the late 1950s.

The report found that oil contamination in Ogoniland is extensive and having a grave impact on the environment in a number of locations where public health was severely threatened by contaminated drinking water and carcinogens. Furthermore, the report showed that pollution had penetrated further and deeper than previously thought.

President Muhammadu  Buhari who inaugurated the boards, reiterated the commitment of his administration to the clean-up of Ogoniland in Rivers State.  He said, “When I came into office on May 29, 2015, one of the first tasks i carried out was to authorise the implementation of the recommendations of  UNEP for the clean-up of Ogoniland.

“The devastation caused by oil spillage has destroyed many lives and livelihoods and is clearly one of the reasons why many people in that region lost faith in government and resorted to the many criminal activities we are seeing in the region today.

“The action our government took to implement UNEP’s recommendations has given the indigenes of the region hope that there are better days ahead.

“Let me, therefore, express appreciation on behalf of the government of Nigeria to UNEP and other development partners for their cooperation and support on this very delicate matter and also request for their continued support as we implement the recommendations and transform the fortunes of the region,” Buhari stated.

Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Bukar Hassan, stated that the board members were selected on the basis of their experience, integrity and representation of issues.

She went further, “The governance structure ensures inclusiveness, accountability, transparency and sustainability of the Clean up exercise.”

The 13-member governing council chaired by the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, has as member, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Chairman of NNPC, Dr Ibe Kachikwu; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, Minister of Niger Delta Affiars, Pastor Usani Usani, National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), Managing Director SPDC, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, representative of Ogoni stakeholders and Niger Delta communities.

The 12-member Board of Trustees chaired by Mr. Wale Edun also has as member Minister of State for Environment, Mr. Ibrahim Jibril, Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu and Director HOMEF, a Non-Governmental Organisation, Mr. Nnimmo Bassey among others.

To mark the fifth anniversary of the launch of Assessment report, UNEP expressed optimism over recent developments towards an environmental clean-up, adding that a clean environment is on the horizon.

UN Environment chief, Erik Solheim said, “I am impressed by the developments we’ve seen towards an environmental clean-up in Ogoniland. During my recent visit there I could sense the momentum – and expectations – of the Ogoni people to once again have their home clean, healthy and safe. The inauguration of the clean-up project was undoubtedly a historic moment for the region.

“I would like to congratulate Minister Amina Mohammed for her outstanding leadership on this issue and assure the Nigerian Government that UN Environment and the UN system remain available to support the clean-up project.”

On 2 June, the Federal Government set in motion a $1 billion clean-up and restoration programme of the Ogoniland region in the Niger Delta. Financial and legislative frameworks will now be put in place to enable the implementation of UNEP’s recommendations.

The environmental remediation is likely to be the world’s largest terrestrial clean-up ever seen. With all parties working together, the results will be transformative: ecosystems can recover, livelihoods can be restored, and everyday life will be much improved.

Experts estimate that it could take up to 25 years before ecosystems are re-established. Yet the environmental clean-up of Ogoniland now has the strong support of all stakeholders to move ahead.