BEVERLY HILLS, May 24, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and oil companies to release funds for the clean-up of Ogoni community.
This was revealed on Wednesday by the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, in the first part of an 8-Part Series Podcast that focuses on the Niger Delta and security.
He declared that the President is committed to the success of the Ogoni clean up, noting that his Ministry was working with the Ministry of Environment to ensure the success of the exercise.
“The president is completely committed to the success of this. And we are working with the Ministry of Environment to continue the Ogoni clean up,” he stated.
“The President has just directed that funds necessary for this must be released within a very short period of time so that this Ogoni clean up can actually move from the drawing board to actual practical reality.
“In fact, both the oil companies and NNPC to fund this sufficiently for us to move forward.”
Kachikwu added that the Ministry has commenced a Programme to engage Ogoni in order to secure the community buy-in and participation when there is any problem.
He added that government is currently working on a framework for a community based participation in oil and gas pipelines and oil and gas assets.
“If we succeed in doing that, for the first time, what we are going to have is a complete blueprint, complete local engagement, complete intervention and supervision of the Niger Delta Development module. And that is something that can be sustained for posterity,” he continued.
He revealed that the ministry has approved the establishment of 10 modular refineries out of which two have begun construction. Kachikwu said that the two that sited in Kwale, Delta State and Ogbere, Rivers State will start yielding results within one year.
