The Ogoni cleanup project has received a boost as the Federal Government reaffirms its commitment to the initiative, with a renewed focus on sustainability and peacebuilding. Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, HYPREP Project Coordinator, spoke to NewsNGR in an exclusive interview on his first day back at work after his reinstatement on Monday, July 15.
He said: “The Federal Government is highly committed to Ogoni cleanup, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to make it a success.
“We’re not just cleaning up the environment, but also building peace and stability in the region.”
He stated that to achieve this, HYPREP will train traditional rulers in Ogoni on Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms(ADRM) to strengthen their capacity in conflict prevention and resolution, saying the initiative aims to promote peacebuilding and stability in the region.
He also revealed that the organization is currently juggling over 130 ongoing projects, revealing that the initiatives focus on remediation, water provision, health systems, and livelihood programs, creating a surge in employment opportunities for Ogoni youths.
Prof. Zabbey highlighted that HYPREP has a packed schedule for the year, with various programs lined up to benefit the youths of Ogoni, emphasizing that the Project focus is on sustainable cleanup, which means that the benefits will extend beyond the present generation to future ones.
The HYPREP Project Coordinator expressed his enthusiasm for the project’s potential to transform the lives of Ogoni youths and the region as a whole. With the Federal Government’s commitment and HYPREP’s dedicated efforts, the Ogoni cleanup project is poised for success.
“We’re estimating over 7,000 youths will benefit from direct employment,” Prof. Zabbey stated. “Our goal is to not only provide jobs but also build their capacity to work elsewhere and support the project’s success.”
In a related development, the HYPREP Project Coordinator in a statement by the his Head communication, Enuolare Mba-Nwigoh, said he remains committed to the active and timely implementation of the Ogoni Clean-up and assures that the project will continue to be accountable, transparent, and people-centric.
He made the statement following his reinstatement on Monday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, as conveyed in a State House Press Release issued by the Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Chief Ajuri Ngelale.