From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari virtually flagged off the construction of the Ogoni Power Project, expressing confidence that the project upon completion will spur socio-economic development of Ogoniland, create job opportunities for artisans and enhance entrepreneurial growth.
According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the president who was represented by the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi at Wiiya Akara, Khana Local Government Area (LGA), Rivers State, on Friday, participated virtually in the groundbreaking of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration and the Ogoni 100-Bed Specialist Hospital.
On the power project, Buhari noted that it would bring sustainability to the potable water schemes, Livelihood Programme, Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, and the Specialist Hospital projects being undertaken by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
On the benefits of the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, the president said it would bring succour to those who over time have been exposed to hydrocarbon pollution and other ailments associated with environmental pollution in the community.
He urged the Ogoni community to cooperate with the Federal Ministry of Environment, HYPREP and the companies handling the execution of the projects.
Buhari assured that the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, will provide capacity and research opportunities to scholars within Nigeria and around the world on environmental remediation.
“It will initiate studies on home grown methods and approaches to addressing oil pollution in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country, to Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.
“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 provide a link road to Bonny Island that hosts the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Plant.
“This all important economic road passes through the heart of Ogoniland and the benefits it will bring to the local economy will be considerable,” he said.