A non-governmental organization which has been in vanguard of Ogoni Clean-up Project known as Environmental Rights Action (ERA) has called on the Nigerian Government to set aside $100bn for the clean-up of the whole Niger Delta if they want the process to be successful.
The Programme Manager, Environmental Rights Action (ERA), Barr. Mike Karikpor said this at the training workshop on Effective Reportage of Environment for journalists and civil Society organizations in Port Harcourt.
He informed that oil exploration and extraction has earned close to $700bn for Nigeria in the last 50 to 60 years adding that it would be proper for Federal Government and oil companies to earmark $100bn for the clean-up of the whole Niger Delta region.
He noted that it was important for Ogoni Clean-up to be successful so as to be a template for every other polluted area in the Niger Delta especially those that are more polluted than Ogoni.
Barr. Karikpor also called for the inclusion of independent people aside the officials of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project ( HYPREP), to monitor the Ogoni Clean-up process and tell the truth to power.
“Thankfully we have been campaigning for the government to kick-start the clean up and finally they have kick-started the process but it is important that there should be people monitoring the process not from inside UNEP/ HYPREP as HYPREP wants it but independent people to monitor the process and tell the truth to power ,and that is what we are trying to do”; he opined.
He however disclosed that ERA is not opposing HYPREP, but only wants things to be done properly and stressed the need for all relevant stakeholders to work in collaboration, so as to ensure a successful clean-up in Ogoni and the whole Niger Delta.
Earlier, the Co-ordinator, Global Livelihood Alliance (GLD) Niger Delta, Mr. Young Kiagbara expressed concerns on how issues on the activities of Environment are being reported and stated that the objective of the training was to make journalists and civil society organizations know their roles in effective reportage of environmental activities.
“This training will promote investigative research and actions on environment as related to the best interest of the society, it is also going to create awareness regarding environmental pollution, degradation and its effect on humans, earth, social set up, and the economy at large”; he stated.
Meanwhile,On a trip to Field Remediation site, Plot 19 Korokoro in Tai Local Government Area, the Gbenemene of Tai, Head, Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, HRM King Godwin Gininwa, had during a courtesy visit in his palace appealed to HYPREP to be all embracing and involve the people of the community in the process.
“I want to appeal to HYPREP, they should try and distinguish themselves and think of what they will do to embrace the people in terms of development “; the monarch appealed.
