The Federal Government has assured the People of Ogoni ethnic nationality that it will harmonize different ideas to kick start livelihood programs for artisanal refiners in Ogoniland. The Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi said this while speaking during a lecture to mark this year’s World Environment day in Bori, Khana Local government area of Rivers State.
The minister said the Federal Government said the creation of alternative livelihood is due to the degradation of the environment of the people of Ogoni which has affected their ways of life. The Minister who was represented by the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project, Ferdinand Giadom added that the project is identifying and characterising complex sites in Ogoniland for cleanup.
He further assured that six subpower stations will be constructed in Ogoniland to provide sustainability to all HYPREP projects. On his part, the Member Representing Gokana state constituency, Dumle Mao pleaded with the people to support the efforts of HYPREP. He also called for the speedy implementation of the UNEP report to get the people of Ogoniland back to their normal way of livelihood.