27 February 2013, Sweetcrude, Yenagoa — Bayelsa State Government, Monday, said it was ready to support the commencement of Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, project of communities devastated by oil pollution in the Niger Delta region by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, with the donation of an office complex in the state.
The assessment of the impacted communities Bayelsa State and others is expected to be conducted under Hydro-Carbon Restoration Project, HYPREP, led by its National Coordinator, Mrs. Joy Nunien-Okunnu.
Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd), speaking in Yenagoa, during a call on him by top members of HYPREP and the hand over of the office complex, said the state government and the people had longed for a detailed assessment of the environmental effects of the incessant pollution caused by oil spillages and illegal oil bunkering in the state.
He said the decision by the Petroleum Ministry to set up the HYPREP was timely and would put an end to controversies between communities and oil multinationals over spillages and pollution.
“The Bayelsa environment is highly polluted with lots of oil residue on waters and farmlands. They are mostly caused by spillages and illegal oil bunkering. We drink from these rivers. When you fly over the sites, you will see heavy layers of oil.”