Amgbare Ekaunkumo,Yenagoa
A group, Environmental Rights Advocates Organisation of Niger Delta has hailed President Bola Tinubu for appointing a seasoned and ardent environmentalist, Dr. Olufemi Adekanmbi as the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
The group described the appointment of Dr.Olufemi Adekanmi as “round peg in a round hole” given that he has been adequately prepared and equipped for the job owing to his wealth of experience and knowledge in environmental matters.
In a press statement signed and issued by the Executive Director of the Environmental Rights Advocates Organisation of the Niger Delta, Chief (Barr.) Francis Wainwei made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State stated that the appointment of Dr. Adekanmbi is a welcome development as been actively involved in the advocacy of the environmental remediation of the negatively impacted Niger Delta communities over some years.
The statement read in parts:” As a prominent member of the Nigerian Environment Society, NES and an astute environmentalist who holds a Doctorate Degree in Environmental Management, he would no doubt pilot the affairs of the office meritoriously in line with the mandate to restore the environment, improve livelihood and ensure sustainable development of the region.
” The appointment of the Project Coordinator of HYPREP should be based on competence and be open to all Niger Deltans.Therefore ,the appointment of Dr.Olufemi Adekanmbi as the Project Coordinator for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) is in the right direction.
” Dr.Olufemi Adekanmbi is a proud son of the Niger Delta region and he has been actively involved in the advocacy for the environmental remediation of the Niger Delta communities, negatively impacted by hydrocarbon pollution.He has been carrying out environmental awareness and advocacy programmes for the betterment of the Niger Delta communities for some years now.
” As a prominent member of the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) and as an ardent environmentalist that holds a Doctorate Degree in Environmental Management, he knows exactly what to do to alleviate the plight of the communities suffering from hydrocarbon pollution.Therefore, his appointment is a great joy and welcome development to the environmentally degraded communities of the Niger Delta region, as he has been part of the struggle for their betterment for sometime now.”
The group condemned those propagating the idea that only an Ogoni indigene be appointed as a coordinator simply because the remediation and clean up is in Ogoni land, averring however that being a federal government agency saddled with the responsibility to clean up pollution caused by oil spill and other Hydrocarbon related activities in the Niger Delta, a competent and experienced son of the region can be appointed as project coordinator.
” We wish to use this medium to unequivocally state that HYPREP was not exclusively established for Ogoni Land but the entire Niger Delta Region and therefore, any competent Niger Deltan can be appointed as the Project Coordinator.
” It is a project established by the Federal government to clean up pollution caused by oil spills and other hydrocarbon-related activities in the Niger Delta region. HYPREP aims to restore the environment, improve livelihoods, and promote sustainable development in the affected areas.
” HYPREP is a significant initiative to address the long-standing environmental and social impacts of oil pollution in the Niger Delta region.”
According to the group, it’s wrong for anyone to claim that it is only Ogoni people that can be appointed as Project Coordinators of HYPREP. It is true that HYPREP is currently engaging in the Ogoni Environmental Remediation, Restoration and Livelihood Project ( The Ogoni Clean Up Project ) but that doesn’t make it the patrimony of the Ogoni people.
” HYPREP will certainly commission the clean up of other hydrocarbon pollution impacted communities after Ogoni and therefore, it will be chaotic and inappropriate for such communities to demand that it is only their indigenes that should be appointed Project Coordinators of HYPREP.
“We are, therefore calling on all well meaning patriotic Niger Deltans and critical stakeholders to support Dr. Olufemi Adekanmbi and create the enabling environment for him to execute his new assignment as the Project Coordinator for the Hydrocarbon
Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) for the betterment of our communities.” The statement concluded.
