By Chidi Ugwu
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) is fostering engagement with Ogoni Ex-Artisanal Refiners and youth groups, reiterating its call against re-pollution in Ogoni.
At a Sensitization Forum tagged “Clean-up: Gains, Sustainability and Prosperity of Ogoniland,” held in Eleme LGA recently, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, restated HYPREP’s commitment to provide sustainable alternative means of livelihood to the people, appealing to them not to further engage in acts of re-polluting the environment.
The Project Coordinator, who was represented by the Director of Technical Services, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi, enumerated the damage done to the land by engaging in illegal bunkering and related activities, noting that the objective of the programme was to completely move perpetrators away from the previous acts of environmental pollution and guide them towards a proper cause for livelihood changes.
While commending the Ex-Artisanal refiners for heeding to the call for attitudinal change on livelihood choices, the PC said HYPREP is willing to work with the youths and Ex Artisanal refiners to ensure there is no more active artisanal refining activities in the area.
“So, we are encouraging you to keep doing what you are currently doing, and we will continue to engage you according to the commitment we made to give you specialized training. You will have significant advantages and alternative livelihoods that will make you stay away from artisanal refining forever”, he stated.
Also speaking, one of the Facilitators of the Ex Artisanal Refiners Sensitization Programme, Dr. Elvis Ikoma, said the event was a continuation of previous efforts to stop re-pollution, adding that the group has recorded significant successes in the sensitization of the youths since its inception.
The Key note Speaker, Prof. Dinebari Badey, highlighted livelihood opportunities the ex artisanal refiners need to explore.
HYPREP has continued to engage ex-artisanal refiners as part of its efforts to provide them with alternative sustainable livelihoods while consolidating the gains of the Ogoni Cleanup Programme.
