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Ogoni Clean-Up: Traditional Rulers calls For HYPREP’s Independence

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BY Gom Mirian , Abuja

The traditional rulers in Ogoni region have called for total independence of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in the implementation process of Ogoni land clean-up in Niger Delta region.

They made the call in Abuja recently, at a One-day High Level Policy Dialogue on the Clean-Up of Ogoni Land: A Critical Appraisal of Stakeholders’ Roles, Concerns and Way Forward.

Speaking at the event, organised by African Center For Leadership , Strategy and Development ( Centre LSD) in collaboration with Face Initiative, with support from Cordaid, a member, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH, King Suanu Baridam said HYPREP which is saddle with the environmental clean up of Ogoni Land needs total independence to work effectively.

According to him, “HYPREP is not being allowed to operate. It is good for us to have this kind of peaceful situation. HYPREP should be freed to operate as an organization, one should not be dragging one leg, another one dragging the left and another person dragging the right hand, they will not perform anything.”

Amid claims by some experts that HYPREP is not carrying others along in their deliverables, the Royal father further lamented that it is because activities in the region are being politicized.

The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Dr Marvin Dekil disclosed that additional fund is needed to complete the accessement process in the ogoni land, adding that procurement process is ongoing in collaboration with the Rivers state government to ensure safe drinking water for additional communities within the ogoni land which were not captured in the UNEP’s report.

He however urged those criticising the organization to note that the essence of setting up the organization (HYPREP) was to achieve one thing, “which is the remediation of oil impacted sites. HYPREP is not a parallel government that will provide roads, hospitals, schools, jobs as it’s being envisaged in the communities,” he said.

In his address, the Acting Executive Director of the African Center for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), Mr Monday Osasah, represented by Uchenna Arisukwu said the policy dialogue was conceptualized to provide a platform for interaction between citizens, policy makers and practitioners on the clean up of the Niger Delta and make suggestions to resolving the issues militating against role play of stakeholders in its implementation.

He stressed the need for other parts of the country especially the new areas where oil has been discovered to learn from oil exploration and exploitation experience of the Niger Delta. “Few days ago, it was reported that Gombe and Bauchi State are presently at loggerhead over the ownership of a location where oil is said to have been found. If the disagreement will begin to rear its head at the stage of exploration, what will happen at the stage of exploitation? He asked.

Environment

Erosion Control Project: Gombe SEC Approves N389m Compensation for Residents

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The Gombe State Executive Council (SEC) has approved payment of N389 million as compensation for residents that would be affected by the gully erosion control project at Federal College of Education (FCE) Technical and its surrounding communities.

The Commissioner for Finance, Gombe State, Malam Mohammed Magaji, stated this at the end of the SEC meeting on Friday in Gombe.

Magaji said the payment, which would commence immediately, would be for individuals and organisations along the gully erosion site.

He said almost 1000 persons were expected to benefit from the gesture.

According to him, the compensation is part of the requirements of the World Bank, which specifies that such payments be made to property owners.

Magaji said the payment would also be made to ensure seamless resettlement of affected persons.

“The beneficiaries are in hundreds, almost a 1,000 people; there is compensation for houses, and also for business premises.

“There is also stipends for the elderly living around that area so that they are able to have good livelihood,” he said.

The commissioner for Education, Hajiya Aishatu Maigari, also said the SEC approved upgrade of the five mega senior secondary schools in the state to sustain improvement in the education sector.

Maigari said the upgrade would be carried out based on the needs of each of the schools.

She stated that infrastructure in some of the schools were already being upgraded to global standards.

“We have seen construction of toilets, installation of solar-powered light, construction of roads, school clinics, boreholes and many more,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government had on Nov. 23 signed a N12 billion contract with Triacta Nigeria Ltd. for a 21-kilometre gully erosion control work in six communities within Gombe metropolis.

The project is under ACRESAL project, a World Bank-assisted project to address the challenges of land degradation and climate change in northern Nigeria. (NAN)

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Environment

Fire Razes Household Properties Estimated at Millions of Naira

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The Ebonyi Fire Service, on Tuesday confirmed that a fire incident destroyed properties estimated at millions of naira at the residence of Mr Chris Uchaji, a former commissioner in the state.

Mr Raphael Ibiam, the Chief Fire Officer of the agency, said that the inferno was suspected to have been caused by an electrical spark within the building.

He explained that the fire razed valuable household properties in three rooms of the storey building.

He said no life was lost in the incident as his men responded promptly and was later assisted by the Federal Fire Service.

“At about 0800 hours, there was a fire outbreak at 13 Lawrence Ónór street, off Nna street.

“It destroyed properties in a storey building belonging to Mr Chris Uchaji, a Former State Commissioner for Solid Mineral Development,” Ibiam said.

Uchaji told newsmen shortly after the incident, that he was at the stadium with his wife for morning exercise when he received a distress call from his security man that his family house was on fire.

“We quickly rushed to the scene, only to see many people on a rescue mission as the whole house had been engulfed.

“I suspected it was due to an electrical spark and it started in my wife’s room, where my six-year-old daughter was sleeping.

“The intensity of the fire was high and it spread to other rooms, causing massive damage, but thank God no life was lost.

“I thank God for people’s goodwill and the fire service. Though the state fire service came here, their water finished early, but with the intervention of federal firefighters, they were able to control the fire.” Uchaji said.(NAN)

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Nigeria’s NGO Takes Plights of Local Communities to COP28

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Connected Advocacy for Empowerment and Youth Development, a Nigeria-based NGO, has called for the involvement of local communities in decision-making on climate solutions in order to build a sense of responsibility and unity.

Mr Israel Orekha, Executive Director of the NGO, made the call on Monday in his address at a side event organised at the ongoing COP28 in Dubai.

“The event is themed “Putting Local Community First in Climate Agenda.

’’

Orekha advocated policy changes that incentivised and prioritised sustainable practices at the local and national levels

According to him, empowering communities through participation will ensure that solutions align with local needs.

He also called for inclusive policies that addressed both environmental and social aspects of clean energy transitions.

The executive director particularly canvassed for the consideration of local community in the clean energy transition plan.

The local community, he said, needed clean energy transition parks and not false solutions.

“Clean energy transition parks not only combat climate change but also strengthen community resilience.

“Local involvement in these parks is key to addressing pressing environmental challenges.

“Beyond jobs, clean energy engagement enhances community knowledge about sustainable practices.

“Involving communities in clean energy decisions fosters responsibility and unity.

“Local job opportunities and skill development can result from participation in the renewable energy sector.”

Orekha also underscored the importance of transparency in decision-making processes so as to discern genuine solutions from greenwashing.

“False solutions can perpetuate environmental injustice, disproportionately affecting marginalised communities.

“False solutions, like greenwashing, hinder genuine progress.

“Thorough research and community input are essential for sustainable solutions,’’ he said.

Reports says that clean energy parks are separate areas used and planned for the purpose of clean energy development, like wind and solar generation facilities.(NAN)

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