OREANDA-NEWS. December 04, 2012. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation is working hand in hand with the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and other stakeholders to ensure proper clean-up of oil spillage and its attendant effects in the various communities in Ogoniland.

Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Engr Andrew Yakubu disclosed this during a meeting of stakeholders of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP) at the NNPC Towers in Abuja.

“The NNPC and the IOCs have been playing an active role in working out strategies to ensure that the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoniland is fully implemented to guarantee proper clean-up of the affected areas,” Engr Yakubu stated.

He said that one of the earlier measures taken by the NNPC to remedy the situation was to check further pollution of the affected areas, adding that “I’m happy to inform you that all parties have shown interest in the clean-up campaign.”

The NNPC boss noted the Corporation was deeply concerned with other issues such as the unwholesome activities of illegal bunkering, crude oil theft and the establishment of illegal distilleries.

According to the GMD, the Corporation at its own level has been working hard to ensure that its Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) policies are in line with international standards.

Earlier in his address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Amb. Abdulkadir Musa who represented the Minister described oil spillage as a major threat to the lives of the local indigenes and the environment.

He also urged all stakeholders to continue working hard to ensure that the objectives of setting up HYPREP were not defeated. “By collaborating with each other, this big task of addressing this environmental problem can be achieved,” he added.

He particularly thanked individuals and corporate bodies who have expressed their willingness to donate towards supporting the project.
 Already, leading banks like GT, Fidelity, Sterling and First Banks who were represented at the meeting have decided to involve the project in their respective Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Also speaking at the occasion, the National Coordinator of HYPREP, Mrs Joy Nunieh-Okunnu said in less than four months after its establishment, HYPREP has achieved 100% of the transitional phase objectives recommended by UNEP.

It could be recalled that in July this year, the Federal Government set up HYPREP in furtherance of its commitment to implement the UNEP Assessment Report on Ogoniland.

The Project was charged to implement the recommendations of the UNEP report on Ogoniland as well as investigate, evaluate and establish other hydrocarbon impacted sites and make appropriate recommendations.