Buhari gave the approval during the groundbreaking of three projects – the ‘Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration’, ‘Ogoni Specialist Hospital’, and the ‘Ogoni Power Project’, in Wiiyaakara community, Khana Local Government Area of the state.
The President, who performed the ceremony virtually from Abuja and was transmitted live at the venue, said the event was in continuation of the fulfilment of the promises made to the Ogoni people before the 2015 elections when he visited the area to campaign.
He stated that the Federal Government under leadership established the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project which was overseeing the clean-up of crude oil-impacted sites in Ogoni people.
Buhari said aside from setting up the HYPREP, his administration also deployed huge funds in the construction of the multi-billion naira Bonny- Bodo road which will link the East-West Road when completed, adding that it will boost the socio-economic development of Ogoni.
“It is instructive to know that Ogoni clean-up is not the only project being undertaken by this administration to give the people a sense of belonging in national affairs.
“This administration is constructing the Bodo/Bonny Road – a multi-billion-naira project to link the Bonny Island – host to the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Plant.
“This all-important economic road passes through the heart of Ogoni land and the benefits it will bring to the local economy can only be imagined.
“We have also given approvals for the rehabilitation of the Ogoni axis of the East/West Road which the Bodo/Bonny Road opens into and serves as the gateway to the Oil and Gas Free Zone in Onne, Rivers state.
Buhari expressed happiness about the level of progress being made in several awarded projects that would impact the livelihoods of the Ogoni people.
He explained that the Ogoni Power Project, upon completion will sustain the Potable Water Schemes, Livelihood Programme, and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, while the Specialist Hospital projects, will also enhance the socio-economic development of the area and create job opportunities for artisans and speed up entrepreneurial efforts.
Buhari expressed optimism that the President-elect, Bola Tinubu would consolidate on his achievements, even as he thanked the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for his support to the Federal Government, particularly for the relative peace in Ogoni land and Rivers State.
The President, therefore, urged the Ogoni and others in the Niger Delta region to support the incoming administration led by Bola Tunibu, who he said will continue with the projects to make him succeed.
Buhari said, “It is my desire that you will continue to support this administration and the incoming administration led by His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who I am confident will consolidate the gains achieved from this project.”
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi said that 20 of the 65 United Nations Environment Programme sites in Ogoni have been remediated to date.
Abdullahi further said work was at the advanced stages of completion for the six potable water schemes across the four local government areas that make up Ogoni land.
The Chairman, Board of Trustees of Ogoni Trust Fund, and the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Nwielaghi Michael and Dr Ferdinand Giadom, in their separate speeches, appeal to the President for more funds to see the various ongoing projects to completion.
They said such funds could be either as the ones they can directly solicit from donors or as additional releases to the initial $ 1 billion by the Joint Venture Partners.
The duo promised that the project office will ensure they are delivered on time, on target, on cost and transparently too.
“Considering the global rise in the inflation rate, we will act as a board. This will augment for whatever shortfalls inflationary trends have caused and enable the Project to deliver more services to the people,” they said.
Our correspondent reports that the Environment Minister, Abdullahi had performed the physical groundbreaking of the triad projects on behalf of President Buhari.
