A civil society organisation, the Social Development Integrated Centre (Social Action) has expressed its reservation about contractors and the quality work by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) for the clean-up of the polluted Ogoni environment in Rivers State. The group specifically questioned the identity of the 21 companies that were given contracts for the clean up by HYPREP.
Social Action expressed its concerns in a letter addressed to the HYPREP Coordinator, Dr. Mavin Dekil, requesting to see the list of the contractors, with their lots, job types and specifications.
The letter which invokes the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, also requested for details on the emergency measures, including livelihood projects so far provided by HYPREP for the Ogoni clean-up project in line with the 2011 UNEP Report.
“Permit us therefore Sir, to please request, in line with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act of 2001, that you kindly avail us with the following information on and around the clean-up/ remediation processes in Ogoni,” the letter dated June 10, 2019 and signed by the Social Action’s Head, National Advocacy Centre, Vivian Belonwu-Okafor, requested.
“Ogoni Clean-up implementation framework (timetable) showing activities’ schedule (inception to date, and in-view). List of the 21 companies so far awarded the Ogoni clean-up contract jobs, indicating their lots, job types, specifications, etc.
“Details on the emergency measures (including the livelihood projects) so far done towards the clean-up, so far provided by HYPREP in line with the 2001 UNEP Report.
“The requested information would provide us better clarity and insight into the activities of your body and strengthen is further as a CSO (Civil Society Organization) working with communities towards both the desired outcomes of your work (clean-up exercise) and the well-being of communities and it’s inhabitants.”
Also speaking with newsmen on Monday in Port Harcourt, Bellonwu, said the group would go to Court if HYPREP does not respond to its requests within the stipulated time.
She said while the government’s intention in establishing HYPREP could be noble, a number of the steps and activities around the report implementation have not helped to shore up citizens’ confidence in the process.
Belonwu-Okafor also expressed serious concern over the slow pace of implementation of the clean-up process. She added during the discussion that that steps taken by HYPREP were not encouraging, insisting that the organisation must include all stakeholders in the activities to ensure transparency and accountability.
She pointed out that despite attempts by governments to clean-up, and indeed, remediate the polluted Ogoni environment in line with the UNEP report recommendations, the HYPREP leadership appears to be sabotaging the efforts of governments and betraying the confidence of the people of Ogoni.
