Buhari Approves Governing Council; BoT Members For Ogoni Clean-Up

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Saturday, July 30th, 2016

ABUJA, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – About two months after the inauguration, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved members of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees for the cleanup exercise of Ogoniland, Rivers State, South South Nigeria.

This was made known Saturday in a statement by the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed.

The statement which was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Environment Ministry, Dr Bukar Hassan, in Abuja, explained that the structures would ensure inclusiveness, accountability, transparency and sustainability of the exercise which will last 30 years.

While the Governing Council comprises 13 members, Board of Trustees is made up of 10 members.

The Minister acknowledged the concerns which have been raised by different stakeholders on the slow pace of the exercise. She however noted that Nigerians have right to voice out their concerns, yet, appealed for patience.

“We ask for patience as we lay solid foundations for the cleanup. The context is complex and stakeholders are diverse. All must be taken along”, the Minister assured.

Mrs. Mohammed indicated that her Ministry was working with the Ministries of Petroleum Resources, Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) and key stakeholders in implementing the UNEP report.

The Environment Minister said the exercise was a collective responsibility and urged all Niger Delta communities, especially the Ogonis, to support the remediation and restoration efforts of government.

Already, a UN report, has evaluated that the cleanup of Ogoniland might last for a total of 30 years with the initial remediation taking five years and the restoration another 25 years.

It would be recalled the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on behalf of Mr. President inaugurated the cleaning-up June 2, 2016 at Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.