LATEST ON OGONI CLEAN- UP

Today on our radio programme: “ matters of the moment”, we examined the constitution of the board for the Ogoni clean-up.

Arising from concerns about the federal Government’s commitment to the one billion dollar counterpart funding for the clean-up of Ogoniland, representatives of the area in the governing council of the hydrocarbon pollution restoration programme HYPREP, Professor Ben Naanen and the acting Executive director, Social Action, Mr. Ken Henshaw, want the government to make its funding plan for the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme UNEP report on the area public. 

 The pics shows My producer, Blessing Ituma, Rachel Onah the presenter, My two guests, MOSOP President, Legborsi Pyagbara and Mr Ken Henshaw.

This development stems from revelation by oil industry sources that it is untrue that shell petroleum development company SPDC, had allegedly set aside counterpart funding for the one billion dollar Ogoni restoration take-off fund.

Similarly, the immediate past national president of the Nigeria environmental society, NES, Mr. Olu-Wai Ogusu says the board of trustees set up for the clean-up of Ogoniland by president Muhammadu Buhari could best be described as political appointments.

According to the Environmentalists who spoke with our correspondent the chairman of the board should have come from the Niger Delta and the appointments should have been based on expertise.

The concerns and more are the focus of our news and current affairs Programme, Matters of the moment this morning.

The President, Movement for the survival of the Ogoni People MOSOP, Mr. Legborsi Pyagbara and a policy Analyst, Mr. Ken Henshaw are Guests for today’s programme

 Phone lines were opened in course of the programme for listeners’ contributions.

Prince from Ogoni said that they are happy with the constitution of the board, since to them, what matters is for their land to be cleaned up and not the members of the board.

Mr Andrew Ajayi, a social critic, said that care should be taken, to ensure that the process is not hijacked by po;iticians, since so much money is involved.

The Governing council is headed by the Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Mohammed, while The board of trustees is headed by a financial expert, Mr Wale Edun. Other Members include, Managing director of Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr Nsima Ekere, Managing Director SPDC, Mr Osagie Okunbor, Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr Ibe Kachukwu among others.

What about you, do you think The leaders appointed so far are alright?

My email - rachele20022002@yahoo.com