BODO CITY, RIVERS — The Federal Government of Nigeria has restated its commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of all citizens, particularly those affected by environmental degradation, as it commissioned four major water projects in Ogoniland, Rivers State.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Bodo City, Gokana Local Government Area, the Minister of Environment, Mr. Balarabe Lawal, emphasized that access to clean and safe drinking water is a basic human right, which the Tinubu-led administration is determined to uphold.
“The biggest victim of pollution is water. Water is the first to be contaminated. That’s why HYPREP’s mission is to restore clean water, rejuvenate the land, and ensure a healthier environment,” Lawal stated. “By providing these water projects, we are reaffirming our unwavering commitment to human rights and environmental justice.”
The projects, executed by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), were delivered in Bodo (Gokana LGA), Eteo (Eleme LGA), Uegwere-Boue, and Taabaa (Khana LGA), as part of broader efforts to implement the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recommendations for the cleanup of Ogoniland.
Lawal urged the Ogoni people to safeguard the infrastructure provided and support the ongoing environmental restoration efforts, noting that the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda is focused on improving the lives of those in neglected and polluted communities.
Earlier, HYPREP Project Coordinator, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, highlighted the significance of the water projects as a major milestone in the clean-up initiative, which also includes soil and groundwater remediation, livelihood restoration, and healthcare services.
He revealed that shoreline cleanup is now 57.7% complete, while mangrove restoration efforts have reached 93% completion. Plans are also underway to designate the restored mangrove ecosystems as a RAMSAR site in recognition of their global environmental importance.
Zabbey added that the newly commissioned water facilities symbolize a new era of hope for the Ogoni people, aligned with the government’s commitment to environmental sustainability and social equity.
Representing Renaissance Africa Energy Company, Mr. Igo Weli expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Environment for their leadership, noting that the water scheme is a significant step toward improving the quality of life in the region.
The commissioning marks a major achievement for HYPREP and a renewed push by the federal government to address decades of environmental neglect in the Niger Delta.
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