The Federal Ministry of Environment has appointed a new project coordinator for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) which is to kick off soon.
The Minister of State for Environment, Barr. Sharon Ikeazor announced this during her welcome address at the two-day retreat organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for members of the governing council, board of trustees and CRAC of the HYPREP project in Abuja.
The minister said that the retreat is to enable them to charge a new course and to help familiarise themselves with their different goals.
“For the past six months, I have been the supervising minister of environment and, by extension, HYPREP. At one point, I interacted with each of you but I had never interacted all at once with every group under the governance of HYPREP. During this period, I have noticed how you all have been trying to make progress in your various areas of operation and identified the need for the establishment of synergy and complementarity for the various arms; thus, necessitating this retreat.
“This retreat will enable us to collectively chart a new course, a more efficient way of delivering on the HYPREP project together. Let me now use this opportunity to introduce to all of us the newly appointed coordinator of the project, Dr. Ferdinand Giadom, whose appointment was officially announced on March 8, 2022, after due approval by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari,” she said.
Ikeazor congratulated the project coordinator and reminded him of his responsibilities to set the project back on track and expedite action on all deliverables, in line with international responsibilities. Also, she urged the members of the GOC, BOT and PREP to collectively support him.
The minister added that the discussion sections will classify the different variables of each of the arms as contained in the gadget establishing HYPREP.
“The governing council is empowered to manage and impede the policies of HYPREP, providing the general quality guidelines relating to her functions. The board of trustees carry out financial oversight that ensures the use of financial controls, ensuring the funds are properly utilised under established financial policies and guidelines.
“The project coordination office on the other hand is responsible for the overall execution of the project for which it was established. While the central representative advisory committee shall establish and maintain primary contact between HYPREP and the Ogoni communities. It is necessary to state at this point that though these functions are assigned individually, but are to be executed in synergy with each other to attain our goals and deliver on our mandates. No arm is to operate in isolation, nor usurp the powers of the other or attempt to be a sole organ to itself, we must network, collaborate and inter-relate within our limits as provided for in the gazette,” she added.
