The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has been forced onto the defensive following the unfortunate collapse of a recently commissioned water facility in Ogoniland. However, the Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF) has swiftly intervened, issuing a robust statement that seeks to contain public alarm and firmly uphold the integrity of the ongoing Ogoni Clean-Up project.
The OYF, through its President-General, Engr. Legborsi Yamaabana, MNSE, acknowledged the “regrettable” incident but sternly warned against using the failure as a pretext to “discredit the commendable strides recorded by HYPREP” under the leadership of Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey and the oversight of the Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal.
The Federation underscored the extensive successful track record of the project, noting that HYPREP has “successfully completed and commissioned similar water projects across other parts of Ogoniland without any structural failures or negative reports.” This emphasis positions the collapse as an “isolated incident” rather than evidence of systemic failure.
The OYF was keen to commend the swift and proactive response of the HYPREP management. They highlighted the immediate establishment of a technical committee tasked with thoroughly investigating the “immediate and remote causes of the collapse.”
“This proactive step demonstrates transparency, accountability, and a genuine commitment to ensuring that quality standards are upheld in every aspect of the project,” the press statement read.
In a powerful appeal to the community, the Ogoni Youth Federation urged all stakeholders community leaders and the youth population to remain calm and actively “avoid spreading unverified information.”
The group explicitly called upon the people to “resist the attempts by detractors to exploit this isolated incident to undermine the integrity and progress of the Ogoni Clean-Up project.”
Reaffirming their commitment, the OYF stated: “We must continue to give HYPREP and the Federal Ministry of Environment our full cooperation and support as they work tirelessly to actualize the vision of a clean, safe, and prosperous Ogoniland.”
The Federation concluded by expressing unwavering confidence in the HYPREP leadership, assuring the Ogoni people that the “temporary setback will be thoroughly addressed, lessons learned, and corrective actions swiftly implemented,” all in the spirit of unity, progress, and accountability.
