TELL Magazine

The Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gil Atkinson, has taken a tour of sites where the Ogoni Cleanup Project is being carried out.

The British envoy, who did not disclose her impression about the ongoing work, was taken around by Marvin Dekii, the Programme Coordinator of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP. HYPREP is the implementing agency for the Ogoni Cleanup Project.

The cleanup is taking place in four local government areas of Eleme, Tai, Gokana, and Khana, where waters and lands had been despoiled by oil spills over the years.

The project, which was recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, is expected to cost $1 billion and to span over 25 years. Politicians and political parties had used the programme to appeal for votes from the people of Ogoni, who are embittered by the pollution of their environment.

The Deputy High Commissioner also visited the Traditional Ruler of Eleme, Philip Obele, who called on the British government to give assistance to the cleanup project.

Atkinson promised to deliver the messages of the Eleme people and the progress of work on the cleanup to the British government.

She was decorated by the Eleme monarch with the title of ‘Egbere Owa Ekoo Oku Eleme’ – A Great Friend of the Eleme People.