President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that he has fulfilled his promise to
Ogoni people after flagging off the clean up of Ogoniland, stressing that,
he will monitor the daily progress of the clean up as a fulfillment of his
promise he made to Ogoni people during campaign in 2015.
Buhari who was represented by Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osobanjo said
this after the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) report, noting that, it is a reward for sacrifices made by the
heroes and people of Ogoniland.
Buhari who frowned at the resurgence of oil pipeline vandalism and oil
theft which has drastically reduced gas supply to power stations assured
that the sabotage of oil pipelines would not be tolerated, noting that,
the federal government will enforce the rule of law in protecting federal
government assets.
Earlier Chibuike Amaechi, Minister of Transport and former Governor
governor of Rivers State recalled how his administration fast tracked work
of the officials of UNEP report through the office the Secretary to the
Rivers State Government then occupied by Magnus Abe who later became a
Senator.
He said he as the then Governor of Rivers State along with prominent
Ogonis pleaded with former President Goodluck Jonathan to implement the
UNEP report submitted to him in August 2011 but to no avail.
Also present at the flag off was Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers. He
commended Buhari for the planned clean up, describing it, as a good
gesture that will lead to the restoration of the environment of the Ogoni
people.
Wike pledged the support of the Rivers State government in the full
implementation of the UNEP report in Ogoniland, noting that, Ogoni people
have adopted a non-violent posture in fighting for environmental justice.
He said the clean up presents a road map to gauge the extent of damage to
Ogoniland and the ecosystem of the Niger Delta.
On his part, the President of the Movement For the Survival Of Ogoni
People, MOSOP,Legborsi Pyagbara, said the flag off by President Buhari is
a reward for the non-violent posture of Ogoni people in their struggle and
it signals a healing process in Ogoniland which for years has suffered
environmental pollution and loss of lives.
Pyagbara made his assertion in Tekru Waterfront in Bodo in Gokana LGA of
Rivers State the site of the flag off of the clean up of Ogoni
environment.
He said President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to keep to the promise he
made during his campaign in 2015 marks him out as a leader in Africa who
says something and keeps to his word.
“President Buhari has proven that he is a leader we should trust. He is
the last export of a great Leader in Africa continent.”
He said other places in the Niger Delta should learn from the Ogoni people
and adopt a non-violent struggle is the way to go. “Our road may have been
rough with lives lost but Aisha Mohammed, the Minister of Environment and
President Buhari are rekindling our faith in Nigeria.”
Important dignitaries like the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha,
Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed graced the occasion.