Stay Clear Illegal Bunkery As Clean Up Reach Advance Stage HYPREP Boss Task Ogoni Youths

 

By

Pius Dukor

The Coordinator of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project ( HYPREP), Prof. Neeniibari Zabbey have tasked Ogoni youths to desist from illegal bunkering popularly known as "kpofire" as the Ogoni clean up reaches an advance stage of shoreline clean up and mangrove planting in the area.

Prof. Zabbey  charged the youths during the 1st Quarter of Interactive Session with Ogoni youths in Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State stating that the act is capable of hampering the on-going clean up in the area.

The HYREP Boss condemned in totality the activities of the youths who involved themselves in illegal bunkery noting that such activity could hinder the progress of the work achieved so far by HYPREP.

On HYPREP's achievements, Zabbey explained that there have been significant progress especially in the area of supply of portable water in Ebubu in Eleme LGA, Korokoro in Tai and Kpean in Khana local government areas. 

He also noted that the Ogoni Shoreline Clean up  is ready to take place in B.Dere, K.Dere and Bomu all in Gokana LGA, while the Ogoni Specialist Hospital in Tai is in progress to provide quality healthcare to the people. 

On the issue of Livelihood Training component of the Clean up, the HYPREP boss stated that trained youth will be provided with starter and transportation.

The HYPREP Coordinator speaking further on HYPREP'S achievements so far recounted that the Centre of Excellence in Ogona is providing jobs to over 700 youths with the start of mangrove restoration in Bomu community. 

Furthermore, Prof. Zabbey assured the youths that the electricity project of the Ogoni it is on-going stating that most of the equipment involved in the project is sourced from outside the country.

"The electricity power project is on course at Wiiyaakara in Khana and the Bodo-City sub-station at Gokana" he stated.

On contracts to Ogoni youths, HYPREP number 1 man promised to train the youths on procurement, noting that "without complying with the 2007 Procurement Act, the contract aspect will elude them". 

He urged the youths to use this opportunity to advance their education, knowledge and improve on their economic prowess as the Clean up project have a life span.

Prof Zabbey noting that the youths have a key role to play in the actualisation of the clean up, maintained that the interactive session with the Ogoni youths was part of his promise to update them on all necessary information concerning the clean up, thus seek for their support towards actualising the Ogoni clean up process.