Ogoni cleanup: Reps committee seeks more funding

The House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities has requested additional funding for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project to ensure completion of all outstanding Ogoni cleanup initiatives. Led by Chairman Dumnamene Dekor, the committee discussed the need for greater financial support after an oversight visit to project sites in Ogoniland, Rivers State.

Dekor emphasized that initial funding for the cleanup exercise had been exhausted, and project execution had exceeded expectations. He stated that while funds for the project's start-up were provided, further financial assistance is necessary to sustain and complete the cleanup. Dekor called on all stakeholders responsible for funding to fulfill their obligations and urged those responsible for the pollution to contribute towards the cleanup efforts.

The committee has also initiated a bill to extend the cleanup project to other oil-polluted communities in the Niger Delta region. HYPREP's Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, expressed excitement about the committee's visit to the project sites, noting that over 120 sites were involved in various thematic areas such as remediation, shoreline cleanup, water provision, hospital strengthening, job creation, and skills development for Ogoni youths and women.

Zabbey highlighted that the visit provided the committee a firsthand understanding of the project's progress and the chance to recommend improvements.