Finally, Help Is Underway for the People of Ogoni Land

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) is set to begin environmental clean-up operations of oil spillage sites in Ogoni land. As the body gets ready to begin clean-up operations, it has assured that it would remain firm and committed to its set goals in the area. The Country Director, Mr. Turhan Saleh, while speaking in Port Harcourt disclosed that this particular clean-up operation would be the most challenging task his body would be taking up in recent times. He therefore urged the Ogoni to give them all the support needed to achieve their aims during the exercise.
  According to Mr. Saleh, the first phase of the project which would include visits to spill sites, consultations with the people, recruitment and training of both local and expatriate staff, etc, would run from March this year to April next year. Adding, he pleaded with the people to ensure the safety of their facilities as they were set to meet the deadline given for the project. He also assured the people that the second phase of the clean up would deal with environmental contamination in the area.
  In their separate responses, during the questions and answers session, the Ogoni expressed satisfaction with the outlay for the first phase of the job and pledged the readiness of the people to support the genuine efforts of the UN agency in putting the true environmental situation in Ogoni on the world map. The Ogoni also called for a post Impact Assessment of spill sites in the area relating to the flora and fauna.
  It will be recalled that the People of Ogoni land have been in constant disputes with operational oil companies within the region, particularly Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), over neglect on the side of operational oil companies to issues of oil spillage that has badly damaged the land.
  With the UNEP, an environmental protection arm of the UN, it is beyond reasonable doubt that a good job will be done and in due time, if not for any other thing, at least to prevent its name (the UN) from being marred with rubbish.