PRESIDENT BUHARI INAUGURATES CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE, OGONI POWER PROJECT AND SPECIALIST HOSPITAL AS PART OF OGONI CLEANUP BENEFITS
Project Coordinator HYPREP, Dr. Ferdinand GIADOM with Mic.as Minister of Environment , Mohammed Abdulahi unvails the plaque
BY GABRIEL OKECHUKWU, FRCN PORT HARCOURT
President Muhammadu Buhari says, the Centre of Excellence, Ogoni Power Project and Specialist Hospital are in fulfillment of his promises to Ogoni people as part of the benefits of United Nations Environment programme, UNEP report on Ogoni cleanup.
President Buhari who made this known in a virtual groundbreaking ceremony for the projects in Wiiyaakara, Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State, expressed confidence that the projects would improve infrastructural, Economic and social well-being of Ogoni People.
It was a moment of excitement for the people of Ogoni who have been waiting for the fulfillment of one of the recommendations in the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP report, on Ogoni cleanup, being the establishment of Center of Excellence, in addition to two other projects, the power project and the specialist hospital, being midwifed by Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP.
Speaking during a virtual groundbreaking ceremony, President Muhammadu Buhari said that the projects are testimonials to his pledged and commitment to the cleanup of oil impacted communities in Ogoni land.
President Buhari who gave assurance that the Center of Excellence would provide solutions to environmental issues in the Niger Delta region, maintained that the specialist hospital would attend to the health needs of the people while the power project would boost economic activities.
On the State of East West Road, the president told the people that he has given directive for the speedy completion of Ogoni axis of the road.
Similarly, Minister of environment, Mr. Mohammed Abdulahi while appreciating the president for approval of the projects, insisted that the projects would enhance industrialization and job opportunities in the area.
According to him, over twenty sites have been completely remediated in the cleanup exercise while contracts have been awarded for more seventeen sites.
The Minister commended Ogoni youths and traditional rulers for their support so far and called on them to provide enabling environment for the successful completion of the projects.
On his part, the Project Cordinator, HYPREP, Dr. Ferdinand GIADOM described the projects as answer to the yearnings of Niger Delta People, who have experienced environmental pollution due to oil activities.
Dr. Giadom noted that the specialist hospital would service three States in the Niger Delta, being Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River that are without Federal Medical Centers.
The Project Coordinator stated that the Center of Excellence would place Ogoni on the global map as researchers across the world would visit the area to study Ogoni model of remediation exercise, while the power project will connect Ogoni to the National grid.
Dr. Giadom assured the president that all efforts would be made to guarantee timely completion of the projects accordingly.
