From Ogoni to other parts of the country, there has been excitement over the appointment of Dr Olufemi Adekanmbi as new Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), with a chieftain of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP, expressing confidence in Adekanmbi’s capacity and competence to undertake the Ogoni clean-up project.
The appointment of Adekambi, a former Commissioner for Special Duties, Culture and Tourism in Ondo State and member of the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), was announced by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, on Saturday.
Nsuke who is recognized in a section of MOSOP as president noted that even though the new coordinator was not from Ogoni, what mattered most under the present circumstance was competence and capacity to undertake the clean-up of Ogoni.
He lamented that Ogoni sons have been in the position in the past but could not deliver satisfactorily, adding that “what matters to us is someone who can deliver. We have had Ogonis there for eight years and we’ve been disappointed. So if Adekanmbi does it right, we are fine with that.”
He also set an agenda for the new HYPREP coordinator. He said: “We want him to prioritize water provision and implement the integrated water project which was approved by the Governing Council of HYPREP in 2017.
“We will also want him to focus more on proper clean-up of both surface and underground pollution. That’s actually his mandate.”
In the same vein, Prof Iniodu George, an environmentalist and professor of environmental and public health parasitology in the department of environmental biology at the University of Cross River State, has commended Tinubu for the choice of Adekanmbi.
He said in an interview on Sunday that “the President anticipates the 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.
I expect the new coordinator to spring into action to review the state of affairs in Ogoni clean-up effort and engage best available technology to enhance timely and permanent results in the remediation of the impacted ecosystems, as well chart a course for the provision of sustainable infrastructure and socioeconomic amenities, especially access to clean water, sanitation and healthcare.
“The appointment of a new project coordinator for HYPREP coming on the heels of the 2024 Niger Delta Summit, where the chronic devastation of the region’s environment was again vehemently decried by participants and natives, signifies a pragmatic intention by Mr. President to address the issues of oil pollution in the Niger Delta.”
In a related development, Chief Francis O.Wainwei, Executive Director of the Environmental Rights Advocates Organization in Niger Delta has commended President Bola Tibubu for choosing Adekanmbi for the job.
In a statement on Sunday, Wainwei said “the appointment of Dr.Olufemi Adekanmbi as the Project Coordinator for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) is in the right direction, as he is adequately prepared and equipped for the job. His wealth of experience and knowledge will enable him pilot the affairs of the office meritoriously. He is indeed “a round peg in round hole “.
“Dr.Olufemi Adekanmbi is a proud son of the Niger Delta region and he has been actively involved in the advocacy for the environmental remediation of the Niger Delta communities, negatively impacted by hydrocarbon pollution. He has been carrying out environmental awareness and advocacy programmes for the betterment of the Niger Delta communities for some years now.
“As a prominent member of the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES) and as an ardent environmentalist that holds a Doctorate Degree in Environmental Management, he knows exactly what to do to alleviate the plight of the communities suffering from hydrocarbon pollution. Therefore, his appointment is a great joy and welcome development to the environmentally degraded communities of the Niger Delta region, as he has been part of the struggle for their betterment for sometime now.
We are therefore, calling on all patriotic Niger Deltans and critical stakeholders to support him and create the enabling environment for him to execute his new assignment as the Project Coordinator for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) for the betterment of our communities.”
