An environmental non- governmental organization, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, ERA/FoEN, has described as unacceptable and misleading, a recent statement credited to Minister of Environment, Hajiya Hadiza Mailafiya, blaming the delay in implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme, UNEP, assessment report on Ogoniland on the January 2012 protests over fuel subsidy removal.
It will be recalled that the minister, while speaking on her Ministry’s budget performance, had said the unrest due to the fuel subsidy issue was responsible for the delay, and added that the government would commence implementation soon.
Mr. Philip Jakpor, Head of Media, ERA/FoEN, said: “The deferment in implementation of the report defended by the Minister was a disappointing turn in the quest by Ogoni communities and indeed all impacted communities in the Niger Delta to get justice.”
He noted that the UNEP report, submitted to the Federal Government on August 4, 2011, documented hydrocarbon pollution in surface water throughout the creeks of Ogoniland and up to 8cm in groundwater that feed drinking wells.
Jakpor added: “Polluted soils with hydrocarbons up to a depth of five metres in 49 observed sites and benzene, a known cancer-causing chemical in drinking water at a level 900 times above World Health Organization, WHO, acceptable levels, among others. The UNEP recommended a $1 billion restoration fund for cleanup.
“No rhetoric justifies Federal Government’s attempt to shield Shell Petroleum Development Company from justice through delayed implementation of the report or any other actions aimed at pulling the wool over the eyes of the Ogoni people. The Ogoni and other impacted communities of the Niger Delta reject the minister’s excuse and demand the immediate implementation of UNEP recommendations.”
Source: OgoniNews
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