The Federal Government has stated that the delay in the commencement of Ogoni clean-up exercise was to build a solid foundation for the project, and avert a situation where money is spent without the people feeling the impact of such spending.
It would be recalled that in June, President Muhammadu Buhari, had through his deputy, Yemi Osinbajo launched the “Clean-Up of Ogoniland” at Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State. But since the flag-off, the project has experienced hiccups.
Speaking on the delay yesterday, the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, pointed out that every arrangement concerning the project, including the issue of funding, has now been perfected.
She spoke in Abuja at the 10th Anniversary of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, explaining that: “Talking about Ogoni spill, all resources have been made available and the money has been released. But if you do not have structure in place the money will go into the ground and people will not feel the impact.
“It is important for us to put together structure and make sure that we have a solid foundation. Who is in the office, who is the budget manager and how are they recruiting? All of these were not taken care of in the past. But this time, we believe that by the time we leave, people will see result. It will be a continuing process and in the next few months people will be seeing some of the issues that they had not seen.”
Mohammed maintained that it was important for militants to stop further oil spillage by putting a halt to bombing of oil facilities to assist the exercise.
It would be recalled that in June, President Muhammadu Buhari, had through his deputy, Yemi Osinbajo launched the “Clean-Up of Ogoniland” at Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State. But since the flag-off, the project has experienced hiccups.
Speaking on the delay yesterday, the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, pointed out that every arrangement concerning the project, including the issue of funding, has now been perfected.
She spoke in Abuja at the 10th Anniversary of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, explaining that: “Talking about Ogoni spill, all resources have been made available and the money has been released. But if you do not have structure in place the money will go into the ground and people will not feel the impact.
“It is important for us to put together structure and make sure that we have a solid foundation. Who is in the office, who is the budget manager and how are they recruiting? All of these were not taken care of in the past. But this time, we believe that by the time we leave, people will see result. It will be a continuing process and in the next few months people will be seeing some of the issues that they had not seen.”
Mohammed maintained that it was important for militants to stop further oil spillage by putting a halt to bombing of oil facilities to assist the exercise.