Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, Project, HYPREP, has announced that the mounting of electricity transmission towers in Ogoniland will commence from June this year, as all the equipment needed for the project must have been brought into the country.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, assured that the Ogoni power project remains on course, as it was a project that would stimulate the economic prosperity of Ogoniland.
Zabbey, who disclosed these during the 2024 First Quarter interactive session with Ogoni youths, women and people living with disabilities held in Port Harcourt, said the exchange rate affected the project since more that 68percent of the equipment for the project needed to be imported, however, he said the problem has been rectified.
Describing Ogoni youths as key stakeholders in the project, the HYPREP boss said the interactive session was imperative to update the people of Ogoni on work progress and obtain feedback that would aid management decisions.
“Ogoni power project remains on course. The first phase is about transmission. We have enumerated economic crops and assets along the power transmission lines right-of-way for compensation. We are already in Khana and will soon move to Gokana.
“The contract was awarded in Naira, 68percent of the materials and equipment will be imported. So the Federal Ministry of Environment had to work with the Bureau of Public Procurement to reconsider the numeration of the contract to 39percent Naira nd 61percent Dollars to enable the contractor import all the equipment for the job.
“Our estimate is that by June 2024, all the equipment will begin to come into Ogoni and you will begin to see the transmission towers. All these are part of the phase one process.
“Phase two has to do with distribution of power to the communities. The power project is dear to our heart because it is a project that will stimulate the economic prosperity of Ogoni. So everyday I engage with the contractors to ensure the job is done,” he said.
The HYPREP boss also intimated the people of Ogoni on the water facilities already commissioned in Korokoro, Ebubu, Terabor, and Kpean which continue to supply water to households in neighbouring communities.
He said the construction of the Ogoni Specialist Hospital and Buan Cottage Hospital, which he described as beacons of hope for enhanced healthcare services in Ogoniland, was in progress; while construction works at the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Remediation was at 47 percent.
“When completed, these state-of-the-art facilities will provide quality medical care to our people.
“The Centre of Excellence for Environmental Remediation (CEER) construction in Wiiyakara has advanced. As of today, it is at a 47percent completion rate.
“By developing innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable technologies and solutions that reduce the impact of pollutants on the environment, the CEER will serve as a focal point for knowledge management, with the overall goal being the ability to capture new knowledge and standardize scientific processes and deploy best practices from inside and outside of the business area. I am confident that every Ogoni will be proud to host the CEER,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the youths, the President, National Youth Council of Ogoni People, Mr Barinuazor Emmanuel, passed passed a vote of confidence on the HYPREP boss, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey.
Emmanuel also demanded that at leats 100,000 Ogoni youths should be trained on livelihoods, with at least 80 percent trained abroad and on 21st century skills.
“This project is the only thing we have achieved in 33 years of Ogoni struggle. Ogoni people want 80percent of contracts in the project, 40percent for the youths and 40percent for our elders.
“We want a proper health audit in Ogoniland, UNEP said our underground water is contaminated and as you are aware people are dying everyday in our communities from health issues relating to contamination.
“$10million was earmarked for the rehabilitation of ex-artisanal refiners in Ogoni. We want that money to be used for the purpose it was earmarked for. We, the youths need 100,000 slots in livelihood training and 80percent should be trained abroad and given 21st century skills,” he stated.
