Latest news on ogoni clean up

The Ogoni clean-up is a long-standing environmental and health crisis in Nigeria, particularly in the Ogoni region of Rivers State. Here are some of the latest news and updates on the issue:

Recent Developments:

  1. UNEP Report: In 2011, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) published a report on the environmental and health impacts of oil pollution in the Ogoni region. The report highlighted the devastating effects of oil spills, gas flaring, and other environmental degradation on the Ogoni people.
  2. Hazardous Waste Cleanup: In 2019, the Nigerian government, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), launched a cleanup exercise to remove hazardous waste from the Ogoni region. The cleanup aimed to remove over 1,000 tons of oil-contaminated soil and other hazardous waste from the region.
  3. Community Engagement: In recent years, there have been efforts to engage with local communities and involve them in the cleanup process. This includes training and capacity-building programs for community members to participate in the cleanup and monitoring activities.
  4. Challenges and Delays: Despite the efforts, the cleanup process has faced several challenges, including funding constraints, lack of equipment, and resistance from some community members. As a result, the cleanup process has been delayed, and some areas remain contaminated.
  5. New Funding: In 2020, the Nigerian government announced plans to secure new funding for the Ogoni clean-up, including a $100 million loan from the African Development Bank. The funding is expected to support the cleanup of additional areas and improve the overall effectiveness of the program.

Recent News Articles:

  1. "Ogoni Clean-up: FG Secures $100m Loan to Complete Project" (The Guardian, January 2020)
  2. "Ogoni Clean-up: Community Members Protest Delay, Demand Action" (Premium Times, March 2020)
  3. "UNDP, FG Launch Ogoni Clean-up Exercise" (This Day, November 2019)
  4. "Ogoni Clean-up: UNEP Report Highlights Devastating Environmental and Health Impacts" (The Nation, August 2019)

Key Quotes:

  1. "The Ogoni clean-up is a critical step towards restoring the environment and improving the health and well-being of the Ogoni people." - Dr. Ibrahim Jibril, UNDP Nigeria Country Director
  2. "We are committed to completing the Ogoni clean-up and ensuring that the region is restored to its former glory." - Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar
  3. "The Ogoni people have suffered enough. It is time for the government to take concrete action to address the environmental and health impacts of oil pollution." - Ledum Mitee, Ogoni leader and environmental activist

Please note that the information provided is based on publicly available news articles and reports, and may not reflect the most up-to-date information on the Ogoni clean-up.