UNEP Report: Canada Promises To Assist Clean-up Ogoni

The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Chris Cooter, stated this in a chat with newsmen shortly after the inauguration of the first ever Canadian Day in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

Cooter said Canada understands the Ogoni struggle for a safer environment and infrastructural development in the area, recalling that Canada shut her embassy during the killing of the Ogoni nine, in 1995.

He said, “we are about the only country to shut our high commission in Lagos when the killings of Saro-Wiwa and eight of his kinsmen in November 1995, took place under the Sani Abacha dictatorship.”

The High Commissioner disclosed that some Canadian companies will soon come to Nigeria to discuss how they will assist in the clean-up of polluted sites in Ogoniland and promised that Canada will continue to stand by the Ogoni people in their quest for a safer environment.

Cooter said, “Some of the Canadian companies will be coming to Nigeria shortly and we are going to be discussing that with them and we are looking at what they can do. So, it will be a great time to discuss.

“It is not enough to clean it up, you need to clean it up and take in new companies for the people, especially young people to get jobs, sustainable jobs. And to get rid of this terrible problem you have of bunkering, polluting your land, poison your water and make it impossible for people to live normal lives.”

Asked why the celebration of the Canadian Day was taking place for the first time in Rivers State, he said, it was to ensure that many Canadians who travelled for holidays were back.

“The celebration is actually in July, but we are doing it later this year, to make sure that many Canadians are here back from holidays for the celebration. I am based in Abuja and I came here to inaugurate the first ever Canada Day in Port Harcourt.

“For Canada, this is the day the old British Colony came together to form the Dominion of Canada in 1867, so it represents in effect our independence day; so, congratulations to Canadians here too,” he said.

On the relationship between Nigeria and Canada, the High Commissioner said it was hitherto unsteady, but had grown into a more robust relationship, pointing out that it was growing stronger in many ways.

Cooter said, “The relationship between Nigeria and Canada has been up and down. But, I want to tell you about the new relationship. It is a growing relationship and they are quickly developing.

“Already Nigeria and Canada trade has tripled in the last two to three years, our political relationship is growing much stronger, our security relationship is growing, and in particular our trade and investment is moving very quickly. We have a very big programme when we send Canadian teachers here in Nigeria.”

Source: Leadership