Civil society groups and stakeholders are calling on HYPREP to take urgent steps to commence a restructuring process of all contracts awarded to companies and the engagement of other agencies and institutions to make the clean up exercise in Ogoniland transparent and accountable as a public agency of government.
This decision was reached at a One-Day Civil Society parliament interactive session on the governance framework of the clean up process in Ogoniland organized by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The Civil Society group as part of their findings accountability gap in the implementation process of the clean up in Ogoniland with an attendant report that, the award of contracts to companies by HYPREP was marred by poor profiling of contractors, as some of the companies identified were in animal husbandry, including Mosvin Nigeria Limited and Basic Nigeria Limited were allegedly awarded the job of remediation.
It was also alleged that, the contracts were bidded in secrecy and characterized by selfish interest and lack of transparency. It was observed that, some of the collaborating and interfacing with indigenous companies.
This was because, the bidding process was politicized and alleged rumbled by massive bribery allegations.
The Civil Society parliament observed with dismay the outright rejection and neglect of the recommendation of UNEP for an emergency measure to provide portable drinking water for affected communities in Ogoniland. It noted that the process failed because of HYPREP’s inability to consider the health and safety of the Ogoni people who have been infected by benzin and other cancer related diseases. It was also identified that contracts to provide portable drinking water had been awarded since 2017, but, the projects are nowhere to be found. This was the reason why the Ogoni Youth Federation allegedly dragged HYPREP to court to explain the agency neglected the primary concern and responsibility to provide portable drinking water for the Ogoni people as stated in the UNEP report. The Civil Society groups blames CISOC for failing to conduct monitoring and evaluation report on HYPREP activities in Ogoniland over the clean-up exercise.
The Civil Society frowned on the poor welfare of workers employed by HYPREP contractors without adequate insurance benefits and other hazard allowances. The groups blamed NGO and other international organizations for failing to perform their social responsibilities and urged them to brace up to the challenge.
The civil society groups lamented HYPREPs resolve to withdraw from the contractors, the 35million naira compensation awarded to affected communities by the UNEP report and the inability of HYPREP to disburse the funds to deserving communities in Ogoniland within the agreed period.
The Civil Society groups decried the sudden collapse of the integral soil management centre under the watch and supervision of HYPREP after the ground breaking ceremony organized by former Minister of Environment, describing it as a clear indication of the failure of the clean up and lack of access to basic information relating to the clean up exercise.
The Civil Society Parliament expressed worry over the inability of HYPREP to publicize the integrated work plan for the clean up exercise in Ogoniland and described the act as a clear violation of the freedom of information, FO/ACT of 2011, adding that, the groups will depend on all available legal instruments to compel HYPREP to release the work plan within a given period.
The groups expressed grave concern over the poor waste management on the clean up exercise by HYPREP contractors, warning that, the continuous hazardous dump of the toxic waste at described and other remote sites without following the HYPREP work plan calls for proper investigation and examination of the activities of contractors in Ogoniland.
The groups proposed a strategic meeting with the Board of Trustees and others to strengthen the consultation process and the interface for accountability and transparency in the clean up process in Ogoniland.
It also proposed a roundtable discussion between the Civil Society and the Central Advisory Committee, CRAC to correct the imbalance.
The groups advocated for capacity building workshops with HYPREP on effective communication and advocacy to HYPREP on the challenges against the ineffectiveness of the Central Advisory Committee, CRAC.
Earlier, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, Mr. Kentebe Ebiaridor said, there is need for stronger Advocacy to ensure transparency and accountability in the clean up process by HYPREP and its contractors to promote social security in Ogoniland.
