On Friday, Muhammadu Buhari, announced the approval of the renovation of the dilapidated Ogoni section of the East-West Road in Rivers State. The President gave his approval during the groundbreaking ceremony for three projects in the Wiiyaakara community, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The President stated that this event was part of the promises made to the Ogoni people before the 2015 elections, and the rehabilitation project was part of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project. Additionally, the President’s administration deployed significant funds to build the Bonny-Bodo road that will connect the East-West Road when completed, which will increase the socio-economic development of Ogoni.
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The President expressed happiness with the progress being made in several awarded projects that would impact the livelihoods of the Ogoni people. The Ogoni Power Project, upon completion, will sustain the Potable Water Schemes, Livelihood Programme, and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration. The Specialist Hospital project will enhance the socio-economic development of the area and create job opportunities for artisans while speeding up entrepreneurial efforts.
The Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, stated that 20 of the 65 United Nations Environment Programme sites in Ogoni have been remediated to date. Abdullahi also mentioned that the work for the six potable water schemes across the four local government areas in Ogoni was at an advanced stage of completion.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ogoni Trust Fund and the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Nwielaghi Michael and Dr Ferdinand Giadom, respectively, requested more funds from the President to complete various ongoing projects. They stated that the funds could either be solicited directly from donors or be additional releases to the initial $1 billion by the Joint Venture Partners.
