KAGOTE demands urgent implementation of UNEP report
Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called for the assistance of Ogoni apex socio-cultural group, KAGOTE, on the clean up of the area.
KAGOTE has also promised to work with the community and agency to ensure the exercise does not suffer further setbacks.
The group gave the assurance, yesterday, in Port Harcourt during a meeting with HYPREP.
HYPREP Acting Coordinator, Prof. Philip Shekwolo, lamented that re-pollution of some clean-up sites and vandalisation of water project equipment by the people was limiting the speed of the agency in implementing the mandate by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).
The 2011 UNEP report had urged the Federal Government to provide emergency measures, alternative facilities, healthcare, restore the livelihood of the people and ensure remediation of polluted environments.
To accomplish the task, the government had in 2016 set up HYPREP to remediate Ogoni polluted areas and restore livelihoods. The people however have decried the undue delay in implementing the report.
Vice President of KAGOTE, Priscilla Vikue, urged HYPREP to expedite action on its mandate. She noted that with adequate funding and support, there should be no more excuses.
She said: “We believe that a lot more still needs to be done to address the level of damage inflicted on the Ogoni local productive economy and environment. Therefore, we demand speedy implementation of HYPREP’s mandate and activities to give our people hope for a better future.
“One critical recommendation of the UNEP report was the provision of potable water. It was described as an emergency. A few water schemes have been inaugurated but we believe that more should be rolled out soonest.”
She urged the management of HYPREP not to lose sight of livelihood programmes capable of creating wealth for the people.
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