FG Set Up HYPREP Advisory Committee For Ogoni Clean-up | Nairalaw

The Federal Government has set up a Hydrocarbon Pollution and
Remediation Project (HYPREP) Central Representative Advisory
Committee for the Ogoni Clean-up exercise.

The committee is expected to resolve issues that may arise in
the course of executing the project.

Minister of Environment, Suleiman Hassan Zarma pointed out that
the need to inaugurate the committee is in line with the HYPREP
Gazette.

In a statement by the Director of Press, Saghir el Mohammed, the
Minister, during the inauguration, charged the Committee to ensure
that through them, Ogoni Land would be restored, because their role
as a bridge between stakeholders, communities, groups, and the
Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project, HYPREP is
crucial.

“Your nomination to serve in the committee is another level
provided for you to continue in the pursuit of the restoration of
Ogoniland. It is also a result of the trust your people have in you
to be a true representative and to help guide HYPREP and the
Federal Government by extension to resolve issues that may arise
without bias and without resorting to litigation.”

The Chairman of the Committee and Project Coordinator of HYPREP
Dr Marvin Decal thanked the Minister for the confidence reposed on
the members and assured that they will bring their wealth of
experience to bear in the assignment.

“It is a special day because HYPREP from today has a voice that
can speak and be heard in the Ogoni Communities”

A prominent member of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni
People (MOSOP) who is also a Member of HYPREP Governing Council,
Legborsi Pyabara said the inauguration of the committee was a clear
indication that the Federal Government intends to carry all parties
along in the clean-up exercise.

“We believe the participation and involvement of the communities
in the exercise are very important. And we consider this committee
a very important structure in the development of our
communities”.

The 10-member Committee is made up of representatives from the
Rivers State Government, International Oil Companies (IOCs), Civil
Society Organizations, Traditional Rulers and UNEP.