Top Story

Ogoni Clean-up commences in two weeks – FG

233

The Federal Government on Wednesday announced that 21 firms are to mobilise to site in the next two weeks following the contribution of $180 million by major oil companies for the clean-up of the Ogoni oil spills and reclamation of the environment.

The Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jubril, revealed that the $180 million was currently domiciled in a special Escrow account with the Standard Chartered Bank of London.

He further explained that the funds were rallied from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and other joint ventures companies and were being managed by the board of trustees of HYPREP (Hydro-Carbon Pollution Restoration Project).

“Currently, there is funding for the cleanup. But remember that this is the first time the government has done something. Because of the confidence that the oil companies have in the government, the governance structures that have been put in place, the opening of the Ogoni Trust Fund has been able to mobilize $180million dollars from the oil companies.

“The funds came from the NNPC, SPDC and other ventures. The $180 million is in the Escrow account with the Standard Chartered Bank of London and the Board of Trustee is managing it.

“So, as far as we are concerned, we can beat our chest and say that the Buhari administration has shown the way forward on this clean up exercise and we hope and pray that the people whom we are working for will have cause to laugh and smile very soon,” he stated.

Jibrin explained that the shortlisting of qualified companies which had been ongoing for couple of weeks now, has been concluded and “I can confidently tell you that before the end of this month, in the next week’s, there will be 21 companies that will be mobilised to site to start the work.”

He revealed that the Ministerial Tender Board sat a day earlier to consider the submission of the procurement department of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and 15 lots were up for grabs, which the governing council of the Ogoni Trust Fund will meet this Friday to ratify with the hope that the contractors will be mobilized to site next week or after.

“There are some other five lots. Because we are 21 in this first segment that are beyond the reach of the Ministerial Tender Board and the Governing Council, that one will go to the Federal Executive Council.

“We have already written to BPP for ‘no-objection’ and we hope to get the ‘no-objection’ hopefully by next week. So, the next two weeks those five lots will be presented to the Federal Executive Council for approval. So I can assure you that we are on course and there is no going back on the Ogoni clean up”, he stated.

 

Leave a comment

Related Articles

VP Shettima, Govs. Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, others witness Okpebholo’s inauguration as Edo Governor

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Lagos Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Ogun counterpart, Dapo...

VP Shettima Arrives in Benin City for Edo Governor’s Inauguration

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Benin City, Edo State capital,...

Tinubu Calls for Immediate End to Israeli Aggression in Gaza, Supports Two-State Solution

President Bola Tinubu has called for an immediate cessation of Israeli aggression...

N5.4trn subsidy savings, bolster for nation’s infrastructure, social programmes – Onanuga

The Presidency has announced that the estimated N5.4 trillion saved from subsidy...

NPA firefighters extinguish APMT crane fire, no fatalities recorded

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) firefighters, with assistance from other sister agencies,...

NPA set to link export processing terminals with domestic export warehouses

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has unveiled plans to connect Export Processing...

Nigerian stars set to shine at 2025 Grammy Awards with record nominations

Nigerian music stars have taken the spotlight in the 2025 Grammy Award...

FG launches free Caesarean section initiative for Nigerian women

The Federal Government has launched a life-changing initiative, providing free Caesarean sections...

NNPC Ltd. disclaims video of adulterated fuel sold in bottles, jerrycans

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has issued a strong...

New Terror Group “Lukarawas” Emerges in North-West Nigeria

A new terrorist group, known as “Lukarawas,” has surfaced in North-West Nigeria,...

Two fatalities, many injured as hoodlums detonate IED at Imo Market

Disaster has hit Orlu International Market in Imo State following the detonation...

Just in: Trump wins US presidential election

Donald Trump has won the US presidential election, US media announced on...

Tinubu confirms Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja’s passing

President Bola Tinubu has formally announced the death of Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Abiodun...

Protest: Kyari not responsible for fuel price hike – NNPC Ltd

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has come out strongly in...

Just in: FG reverses 18-year-old admission benchmark in tertiary institutions

Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has abolished the 18-year admission...

FG terminates Julius Berger’s N740bln Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project

The Federal Ministry of Works has issued a 14-day termination notice to...

Just in: FG withdraws treason charges against #Endbadgovernance protesters

The Federal High Court in Abuja has terminated the treason charges brought...

Breaking: Pres. Tinubu orders release of #EndBadGovernance underage protesters

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all minors arrested...

Just in: Seven new ministers take oaths of office

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in seven newly appointed ministers, directing them...

Just in: Appeal Court acquits ex-CJN, Onnoghen, orders FG to unfreeze his account

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday discharged and acquitted...