Respite is coming for the Ogoni people of Rivers State, as President Muhammadu Buhari took steps to fast-track the much-awaited implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Report on the environmental restoration of Ogoniland.
President Buhari has also approved a directive that a contribution deposit of $10 million be made by stakeholders within 30 days of the appointment of members of the Board of Trustees for the trust fund that would collect and manage funds from contributors and donors.
The UNEP Report on Ogoniland was released on August 4, 2011, confirming claims by local communities and civil society groups that there exists an ecological disaster in the area.
The report also showed hydrocarbon pollution in surface water throughout the creeks of Ogoniland and up to eight centimetres in groundwater that feeds drinking wells.
The Federal Government had begun implementation of UNEP report on Ogoniland, by addressing some emergency measures to provide alternative facilities for the affected communities in 2014.
