HYPREP Commissions Water Projects As Fubara Emphasizes Community Ownership

Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abass Lawal, inaugurated two water projects executed by the Hydrocarbons Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoni communities, specifically in Beeri (Khana LGA) and Bunu (Tai LGA). These projects are part of HYPREP’s broader efforts to implement the 2011 United Nations Environment Project (UNEP) report on Ogoniland, focusing on environmental remediation and livelihood restoration.
Accompanied by the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, Lawal also visited remediation sites in Ogale (Eleme LGA) and mangrove restoration projects in Bodo and Bomu (Gokana LGA).
HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, disclosed that the Beeri water project has a 900,000-litre capacity, serving seven communities, while the Bunu project has an 850,000-litre capacity, serving three communities.
He also highlighted the completion of previous water projects in several other Ogoni communities, the planting of 3.5 million mangrove seedlings, the awarding of 300 postgraduate scholarships, and the empowerment of 5,000 women and youths, the construction of a specialist hospital in Tai Local Government Area, the Centre of Excellence at Wiyakara.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, has stressed the importance of integrating Ogoni people into all remediation processes to ensure project ownership and prevent sabotage.
During a courtesy visit from the Ministers and the United Nations Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Malick Fall, Fubara highlighted the severe environmental degradation in Ogoniland, including polluted water and farmland.
“The Ogoni people, the people directly affected should be part of it,” Fubara stated. “They should own what you are doing.” He stressed that community involvement, rather than awarding contracts to unknown entities in Abuja, would foster a sense of belonging, responsibility, and protection.
Fubara also emphasized the need for functional water projects, given the years of suffering endured by the Ogoni people. He pledged to convene a meeting of critical stakeholders to ensure the projects’ protection and sustainability.
Governor Fubara highlighted his administration’s commitment to improving power supply, noting that they had paid for metering in several LGAs, including those in Ogoniland. He stressed the importance of power for development and effective healthcare services.
“You cannot develop the area without power,” he said. “Power is the most important thing.”
The Governor also detailed his administration’s focus on healthcare and education, citing recent awards and upcoming projects like the unveiling of the Bori Zonal Hospital.
The Minister, Lawal, acknowledged the challenges of securing community buy-in for projects, citing instances of resistance and the need for extensive community engagement. He appealed to Governor Fubara for support in facilitating electricity distribution to Ogoni and neighboring communities.
He highlighted the importance of addressing water and healthcare issues, noting the ongoing construction of a state-of-the-art hospital and the completion of several water projects.
The UN Resident/Human-itarian Coordinator, Mohamed Malick Fall, commended Governor Fubara for his administration’s support and stressed the importance of continued partnership to achieve the goals of the UNEP report for the benefit of the Ogoni people and the wider Niger Delta.