From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has sacker Dr. Olufemi Adekanmbi two days after he was announced as Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and reinstate Nenibarini Zabbey as Coordinator.
The reinstatement of the HYPREP Project Coordinator takes immediate effect.
Special Adviser to on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement said President Tinubu reached the decision following a performance review of the HYPREP Project Coordinator and concluded that the Project Coordinator is fit to discharge his functions in accordance with the regulations guiding the execution of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
Some Youth leaders in Ogoni, Rivers State, had given the Federal Government 24 hours, which expired on Monday, to reinstate the Zabbey as Project Coordinator, threatening to cripple all project sites in Ogoni if he was not reinstated.
The ultimatum had followed the announced leadership change at HYPREP.
On Sunday, representatives from the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP), Ogoni Youths Federation, Ogoni Students Association Worldwide, and the Association of Ogoni Martyrs, among others, expressed their dissatisfaction. They argue that Ogoni has qualified individuals to run the project, which was initiated through the efforts and sacrifices of the Ogoni people without federal assistance.
Adekanmbi is a former Commissioner for Special Duties, Culture and Tourism in Ondo State, and a member of the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES).
He holds a Doctorate degree in Environmental Management.
The President had in the Saturday statement said he anticipated Adekanmbi to “exercise of competence, dedication, and professionalism in fulfilling the mission of the HYPREP to restore and revitalize communities impacted by hydrocarbon pollution, with a primary focus on Ogoniland in Nigeria,” he said.