The Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP) has reassured the people of Ogoni in Rivers State, of its commitment to sustainable peace and development of their land.
HYPREP project coordinator, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, disclosed this while addressing Ogoni stakeholders in the United States of America, during the November 10 anniversary organised by the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP-USA).
Zabbey stated that the project‘s commitment to the people of Ogoni was being shown through the plethora of projects and programmes it is undertaking in the area.
He said: „It is our desire to see sustainable ecosystem, peace and development in Ogoniland. Since 2017 the Federal Government of Nigeria through HYPREP has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure that the people of Ogoniland live in a clean and economically viable environment.
„We believe that a clean environment is the gateway to the realisation of other goals and this platform –the 2023 commemoration – offers innovative and new workable model for stakeholder engagement and co-operation for the achievement of these set goals.“
The HYPREP coordinator stated that in the area of livelihood provision, 5,000 Ogoni women and youths have been trained in 20 different skill sets, adding that 100 youths were trained in mega skill areas of aviation, mechatronics, seafaring and creative arts.
Zabbey said: „The first set of 30 youths in the aviation training have been certified. Also, the project has carried out a survey of small and medium scale businesses in Ogoniland.
„In August 2023, HYPREP as part of its sustainable livelihood programme provided business interventions funds to 60 Ogoni small business owners.
„Similarly, the commissioning of the Barako water station, one of the 6 water projects in the Phase 1 scheme is a demonstration of the Project’s commitment to provide potable water that meets World Health Organisation’s (WHO) standards.
„This is in addition to the earlier commissioned Alesa Water station that is supplying water to the community and its environs. The four (4) other water stations in Bori, Kpean, Korokoro and Ebubu are nearing completion and ready for commissioning.
‘’It goes without saying that the construction of the fourteen water schemes will create job opportunities for the youths in these communities and thus reduce the burden of unemployment.
„During the construction works, plumbing and other relevant skills would be passed on to the locals who stand the chance of learning lifelong economic skills for their economic empowerment.“
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