Ogoniland, clean up needs planning, professionalism – Prof Hilary Inyang

The cleanup of Ogoniland and other parts of the Niger Delta needs strategic planning and professionalism in order to achieve the desired result.
The distinguished professor Hilary Inyang, who is the Duke Energy Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering and Science, said the different sites have to be properly identified and categorised, especially as they have different risks.
He said due processes, including the creation of a cleanup fund, contribution of the Federal Government and other stakeholders have to be made in advance.
Inyang who was instrumental to the emergence of Nigeria Oil Spill Clean Up Manual and the establishment of the National Oil Spill National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA said many parties, particularly operators, communities and volunteers also need to be mobilised.
The distinguished professor said he would disclose more of the strategies and options at the 2016 IECL World Environment Day forum scheduled for the Nigeria – German Business Association House, Plot 1701, Violet Yough Close, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria on June 3, 2016.
He said the challenges that stare the region, and by extension the nation in the face are complex which call for appropriate diagnoses and execution in order to accomplish set objectives.
“I have undertaken several expeditions and studies in the region in the past few decades. I have also been involved in other regions around the world and would like to share my thoughts with the audience.”
Indeed, there are a lot of things to place before the attendees and others at the important event. It would be good for anyone to miss this event,” he added.
The former Vice Chancellor of University of Benin, Professor Grace Alele Williams said she has already accepted to attend the important event as Special Guest of honour because of the importance of the environment to the entire world.
She said that the environment remains a very important resource which should be utilised and preserved for future generations.
The minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and the Chairman of International Energy Services Limited, Dr, Diran Fawibe would attend as Guest of Honour and Chairman respectively.
Other speakers lined up for the programme include professor Lawrence Ezemonye, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), University of Benin, who would speak on the roles of habits, hobbies and occupations in the extinction of wildlife in Nigeria and other African nations.
While Mr. Deji Haastrup, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited is expected to speak on Conservation as Key to Protection and Preservation of Environment: Sharing the Nigerian Conservation Centre experience, Ms. Dorathy Bassey of the Department of Petroleum Resources would speak on Ecological Fund: understanding the issues, risks and opportunities.
Also, Ms. Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, executive director, Spaces for Change would speak on Understanding the Legal Issues Associated with Illegal Trade in Wildlife in Nigeria and other Developing Countries.
The organisers of the event, International Energy Communications Limited, disclosed that the event would attract stakeholders such as global and regional organisations, federal and state ministries, agencies and parrastatals, corporate institutions, local governments, corporate organisations, international oil companies, indigenous oil and gas companies, contractors and suppliers, financial institutions, environmentalists, consultants, scholars and students from Nigeria and overseas.
The company said it is just a few weeks away, the World Environment Day; WED would be celebrated in different parts of the world.
It said that from 1973 when the celebration started to 2015, stakeholders have adopted different themes to mark the event.
The company disclosed that the theme for this year’s celebration – illegal trade in wildlife – is very central to many African nations, including Nigeria.
It maintained that the event would create the opportunity to review the state of national, regional and global environment with particular reference to illegal trade in wildlife.
The company said that it would enable participants to understand major environmental issues that affect the environment and share ideas as well as thoughts, capable of tacking environmental and related issues.
It maintained that it would enable them to articulate and nurture environmental and other concerns of individuals, organisations and governments required to enable them play major roles as well as promote skills and technologies that can be utilised to impact positively on the environment.
It said that the event would create platform to mobilise support for environmental activities, programmes and projects in Nigeria and other developing nations and to discourage all forms of negative activities, actions and habits against the environment.
The company said the event is also aimed at setting agenda for the managing of local, national and regional environmental issues, promoting networking, partnering and alliancing required to make positive impact in the coming years and exploring funding and other options for tackling problems in the sector.
~It would also bridge the gap between the various stakeholders and journalists needed to inform and educate the public on environment and related issues.~
~The event is also aimed at projecting/propagating the contributions and plans of stakeholders through the instrumentality of the mass media and other platforms in order to encourage mass involvement of people and organisations as well as mobilising public support for the execution of measures required to further promote environmental protection and preservation in Africa, ~it added.
For further information, please contact the organisers on: +234 7031580345, email: interenergycoms@yahoo.com