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UNEP
scientists inspecting a pipeline right of way around 30 metres wide cut through
mangroves in Ogoniland Image credit: unep.org
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Disregarding the threats by the Niger Delta Avengers, President Muhammadu
Buhari will today visit Rivers State to inaugurate the clean-up of the Ogoni
land ravaged by oil spill and production degradation.
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| Image credit: bbc.com |
GRAPHITTI NEWS with monitored reports gathered:
The
clean-up will be inaugurated at Numuu-Tekuru Waterfront in Bodo-Ogoni, Gokana
local government in line with the recommendations of the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland’s environmental assessment. It
was presented to former President Goodluck Jonathan on August 12, 2011.
Ahead
of the visit, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives
Congress (APC) were yesterday trading accusations over alleged plot to disrupt
the president’s visit.
But
Governor Nyesom Wike sued for peace, urging the people to give a rousing
welcome to “our amiable president.”
In
a broadcast, the governor said: “As part of measures to enhance security during
Mr. President’s visit, I hereby place a ban on the operations of motorcycles
and tricycles in Gokana and Khana LGAs between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday,
2nd June 2016. The security agencies have been directed to enforce this ban and
ensure full compliance.
“I
call on Rivers people, particularly the people of Ogoni land, to come out in
great numbers and give our amiable President a rousing welcome during his
visit.”
The
governor added: “It is historic because it marks his first official visit to
the state since assuming office as the President of this great nation. It is
most significant because Mr. President is not on a political mission, but to
kick-start the largest environmental clean-up in our nation’s history, for
which Rivers people, and indeed the Niger Delta, will remain grateful.
“I
call on Rivers people to be peaceful, law-abiding and demonstrate the
traditional Rivers hospitality towards Mr. President and his distinguished
entourage throughout the visit. As I have noted earlier, Mr. President is here
as the father of the nation, who cares about the environmental and
developmental challenges that we face as one of his primary constituencies.
“Accordingly,
his presence in Rivers State is not an occasion for political campaigns by
anybody or political party. Rather, it is an occasion and an opportunity for us
to demonstrate unity of purpose and our readiness to work together with Mr.
President to move Rivers State.
Ogoni
leaders were yesterday holding meetings at Korokoro-Tai-Ogoni in Tai local
government area, to ensure the success of the visit and for the youths not to
allow themselves to be used to disrupt the strategic visit.
Paramount
rulers from the four Ogoni local government areas, – Khana, Gokana, Tai and
Eleme – as well as the President of the Movement for the Survival of the
Ogoni People (MOSOP), Legborsi Pyagbara; youth leaders, women groups, religious
leaders and top politicians, among others, attended the meetings.
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| In preparation for the President's visit, the Governor Nyesom Wike made a state-wide broadcast Image credit: nkiruhomann.com |
Rivers
APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, alleged that hoodlums
working for the PDP would protest in Ogoni during the president’s visit.
But
Special Assistant on Electronic Media to the governor, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu,
accused the APC leaders in the state of wanting to cause confusion.
Rivers
police Spokesman Muhammad Ahmad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP),
yesterday said: “The Police are fully prepared about the President’s visit in
line with our operational order and in conjunction with the military.
“Mr. President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So, you must expect the security to be very tight, to avoid any incident. With the deployment of adequate personnel and necessary equipment already done, water-tight security will be provided.”
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