The prostitute nature of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), which had seen it transferred between three Ministries since inception, frequent changing of ministers as well as administrative bottlenecks in the supervising ministries among others are partly responsible for its inability to diligently implement the UNEP Report 2011 on Ogoniland according to specification, the Executive Director, Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC), Fyneface Dumnamene has said.
The Executive Director who stated this in reaction to the recent transfer of the project from the Ministry of Environment to Ministry of Niger Delta Affiars, wondered why HYPREP which was transferred from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to the Ministry of Environment where professionalism exists following the outcry of the Ogoni people would now be transferred to Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs where experience or professionalism on environmental issues is totally absent for supervision.
He noted that such transfers will take the project from frying pan to fire.
Dumnamene said “It is regrettable that at a time that the new Project Coordinator, Dr. Ferdinand Giadom and Minister of Environment, Barr. Mohammed Abdullahi barely took over months back with some actions like linking Ogoni land to the Afam power station, sustenance of efforts on the provision of portable water and steps taken to commence the Centre of Excellence, Integrated Soil Management Centre, remediation of complex sites are being done; a distracting and frustrating action of this nature would tiptoed into the Project”.
The Executive Director demanded the immediate enactment of a law for HYPREP to be an independent body with an equal legal standing with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He, however, expressed joy over the assurance from the Minister of Environment, Mohammed H, Abdullahi that HYPREP will remain in his ministry.
“In YEAC’s Press Statement on HYPREP’s transfer to Ministry of Nigeria Delta Affairs dated July 28, 2022 that was signed by me, it was stated in part that President Buhari may not be aware of the transfer.
“We also accused the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Sharon Ikeazor of allegedly masterminding the action and we called for investigation and for the action to be rescinded among others.
“In the response from the Ministry of Environment, we could see clearly that Mr. President was not aware of the transfer and had rescinded the action while ordering audit of HYPREP among others.
“However, YEAC’s still believes that there is more to this issue than we are currently aware of till Mr. President speaks by himself through his S.A. on Media and Publicity among others.
“This is because, this assurance is coming from a Minister who may not also be speaking for Mr. President. While we wait for plans to play out more in the days ahead, we thank the Hon. Minister Of Environment and Mr. President for reversing the ill-fated actions of the cabals in your government
