13th February, 2020
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has described the government intervention agency responsible for the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoni, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Programme (HYPREP) as a national shame and embarrassment.
President of MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke, passed this verdict on the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in a chat with newsmen during an unscheduled visit to Ebubu, Eleme local government area.
A press statement released by the body on Wednesday quoted Nsuke as saying the corruption in HYPREP has seriously derailed the intentions of establishing it as an intervention agency to address the environmental crises in Ogoni.
Nsuke who described HYPREP as one of the most corrupt agencies in Nigeria said HYPREP was currently battling for survival having lost the goodwill of the people.
The MOSOP president said, in over three years, HYPREP was unable to make any progress worthy of commendation.
“The Ogoni people still drink polluted water, no health care facilities are available and no opportunities for employment exist in Ogoni despite over $180million made available for HYPREP within the period.
“HYPREP has not followed the UNEP report diligently and in good faith and the Ogoni people have lost every confidence in the work of HYPREP in Ogoni and in the entire cleanup implementation exercise as it is.” Nsuke said.
The UNEP report on Ogoni according to Nsuke was clear on its modalities for implementation and that it spelt out emergency measures which were the first to be implemented.
“The emergency measures included the provision of water for the people and a health audit amongst others. All these have not been done”, The MOSOP President maintained.