By Ngozi Nwankwo
Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has Kick-started the Socio- Economic Study of region with the aim of getting accurate and up-to-date information for effective planning and response to social and economic dynamics.The study indicates HYPREP’s commitment to developing the needed template for government and development partners towards actualizing sustainable socio-economic development of Ogoni.
Speaking at an interface meeting at Mogho community in Gokana Local Government Area, the Project Coordinator, Prof.
Nenibarini Zabbey said, in implementing the Project’s activities, HYPREP, under his watch, will commit itself to every detail in the Recommendations by the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) and also carry out other activities, within its capacity, that will better the lots of the people of Ogoni.
The Project Coordinator, who was represented by the Head, Stakeholders Engagement Unit, Richard Nkpe, acknowledged the fact that there have been livelihoods losses, health challenges and other social security issues in the area which need to be documented to enable HYPREP and potential concerned institutions address, using the available accurate data.
He told the Forum, which comprises two representatives from each community, that qualified academics have been engaged to conduct the Research in Ogoni, starting with Gokana Kingdom, and called on the people to cooperate with the research team that will administer questionnaire in the various communities.
The Project Coordinator also said HYPREP has engaged in related studies with foreign partners, including the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization, to carrying out health audit in the entire Ogoni area, following decades of oil exploration.
Also speaking, the Head, Livelihoods Unit, Josephine Nzidee informed the representatives of Gokana communities that the Study became necessary to enable HYPREP obtain latest data about the people’s socio – economic status, including their health and occupational standing.
Mrs. Nzidee further expressed confidence in the researchers to do a thorough work, saying HYPREP cannot afford to work with wrong data in carrying out its Livelihood programmes in the communities.
In his speech, the Team Lead for the Socio – Economic Study of Ogoni, Prof. Alubabari Desmond Nbete, commended HYPREP for embarking on such initiative, and assured of the Team’s preparedness to conduct the research based on the best and acceptable professional standards.
While appealing to potential respondents in the various communities to provide accurate and verifiable information while filling the questionnaire, Prof. Nbete said providing inaccurate information will impede proper planning and response to the situation. He emphasized that the essence of the research is to help in achieving appropriate planning for the people, explaining that the research team is conducting the study in collaboration with a firm contracted by HYPREP.
On the methodology, Prof. Nbete explained that 400 copies of the questionnaire will be distributed in Gokana communities. A similar sample size will be used in the other LGAs. Thereafter, the researchers had a Focus Group Discussion with the community representatives during the kick-off session of the Study.
Other members of the research team at the forum included, Prof. Allwell Nteegah from University of Port Harcourt; Dr. Nwizor Nkadam, Rivers State University; and Tpl. Visigah Kpobari Peter, Rivers State University.