Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities has affirmed its commitment to support the Hydrocarbon Remediation Project, HYPREP to ensure the ongoing cleanup of oil impacted sites in Ogoniland is successful.
Chairman of the Committee, Dumnamene Deekor, said this when he led members of the Commitee in an oversight visit and inspection of HYPREP clean-up sites in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State. The committee had early visited sites in Khana and Tai.
Deekor said the inspection was imperative in order to afford the lawmakers the first hand information on the project as it concerns the host communities.
He appealed for the cooperation of the people of Gokana LGA to make sure the project is a success.
“We have heard some negative and positive to things about the ongoing project, so it is necessary for this Committee to come here today to have an eye contact with some of the projects that we understand are ongoing, concerning the Ogoni clean up.
“We have come to make sure that as provided this project must succeed. We will also want to assure you that we will also do everything humanly and legislatively possible within our legislative powers to make sure things are done right. So that in the long run, Ogonis by extension Nigerians will be happy we have a better environment.
“We will work with HYPREP and do everything to support you to make sure that this project succeeds.”
Also, the Chairman of Gokana Council, Confidence Deekor, lamented that his local government area was the most impacted by hydrocarbon pollution.
Deekor assured of cooperating with HYPREP in the project, while urging the Project managers to always consult the Council as elected representative of the people.
“Gokana is about the worst hit by the oil pollution and I want to appeal that you ensure our lands are properly cleaned up
“Of course we are happy and we are willing to give the cooperation that is necessary in any area you deem it necessary. Our working together will get us to achieving more.”
Responding, the Officer Overseeing HYPREP Project Coordinating Office, Prof Philips Shekwolo, commended members of the Reps Committee for visiting to inspect the progress on the Ogoni clean-up project.
Shekwolo disclosed that HYPREP was gaining speed in every aspect of the project, such as provision of potable water and livelihoods restoration trainings where the youths of Ogoni will be trained in various skills they have chosen.
On the setting up of the Center of Excellence, the HYPREP boss assured that construction process will commenced as soon as approvals have been gotten.
“With the support of the people of Ogoni definitely we will get to where we ought to be.
“I am happy the Committee members have seen for themselves, they are patriotic Nigerians and they have given us the support we need.
“They are willing to give us more support from the federal government to make sure we implement this project to where it ought to be.”
