FG Set Up  Committee To  Safeguard Ogoni Cleanup, Improves Stability

The Federal Government has inaugurated a key stakeholder committee to strengthen peace, community engagement, and project delivery in the Ogoni cleanup programme, a critical environmental remediation effort in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, while inaugurating the Central Representative Advisory Committee, CRAC, said the body would play a pivotal role in sustaining stability and ensuring uninterrupted execution of the cleanup project under the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project.

He emphasised that the success of the programme depends heavily on community cooperation and effective stakeholder management.

“The project is people-centred, which informs its decision to implement programmes that have direct benefits for the Ogoni people, especially job creation, skills acquisition and other sustainable livelihood opportunities,” Lawal said.

He charged members to prioritise peacebuilding and manage expectations within host communities to avoid disruptions.

“CRAC is a critical part of the Ogoni Cleanup Project. You must promote harmony in project communities and ensure smooth, uninterrupted implementation,” he added.

The Minister noted that members were carefully selected based on their track records and urged them to deepen stakeholder engagement and secure community buy-in.

Project Coordinator of HYPREP and Chairman of CRAC, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, assured that the committee would continue to improve performance through capacity building, particularly in dispute resolution.

“Training in Alternative Dispute Resolution has significantly contributed to stabilising Ogoni and reducing litigations,” Zabbey said.

Stakeholders at the event highlighted the importance of collaboration in delivering lasting impact.

Representative of international oil companies, Ehioze Igbinowanhia, said sustained progress depends on accountability and partnership.

“The Project’s progress depends on collaboration, accountability and mutual respect,” he stated.

Traditional leaders and civil society representatives also pledged support for the initiative, describing the committee as vital to rebuilding trust in affected communities.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Salihu Aminu Usman, said the programme’s biggest achievement so far is restoring confidence among the people.

“The success of the Ogoni Cleanup Programme is in the confidence it has restored in the hearts of the people,” he said, urging the committee to strengthen trust through inclusive engagement.

The inauguration also featured the unveiling of a new HYPREP handbook on contract administration, community engagement, and conflict resolution, aimed at improving relations between contractors and host communities.