Ogoni Clean-up Gets $190m In 2017 Budget

This was according to the Senator representing Rivers South East, Magnus Ngei Abe, who made the disclosure while appearing as a guest on ‘Insight’, a news and current affairs programme on Port Harcourt’s 95.1 FM.

“I was talking with some friends the other day about the Ogoni clean-up. We have worked on that and we are still working on it. In this year’s budget, a total provision of over 190 million dollars have been made. It is supposed to be 200 million dollars and we are still pushing for it to be made 200 million dollars for the takeoff of the programmes of the clean-up project for the year. That is part of what SHELL is to contribute for the clean-up exercise for the year,” Abe said in statement on Sunday by his Spokesperson, Parry Saroh Benson.

– Other Rivers South East Projects Get Top Priority

Senator Abe, who doubles as Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), disclosed that other projects top in the priority of the Federal Ministry of Works for the year are the Bodo-Bonny road project, Andoni/Oyigbo Power project, Water Projects and East-West road project.

Abe, during the radio programme, said he was liaising with various committees and ministries to ensure that the projects are properly appropriated in the budget.

“You will recall that the last time the Honourable Minister of Works was in Rivers State, he publicly asked the people to thank me for the commitment I have shown to the takeoff of the Bodo-Bonny road project.”

“I am also working with the Senate Committee on Power to try to create impact of the Power project in the senatorial district particularly in Oyigbo LGA. We are also trying to expand the power project in Andoni LGA as part of our constituency project this year.”

“We are also trying to do some water projects across the senatorial district within the budget this year.

“We are also working with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to see that reasonable budgetary provision for the East-West road is made. The Minister has been committed and wonderful. He has been running around. But, unfortunately, I don’t see the appropriate appropriation based on what I have discussed with the company handling the project. I have not been convinced that the appropriation the way it is now, they will actually go back and be bold to deliver. The provision that is made this year, the company is telling me that it will not be enough for them to go back to site. They said if they have a minimum amount, they are even ready to bring in some of their own funds and be bold to make sure that the project is completed.”

“But you know at the federal level, the competition for funds is so intense. Nigerians do not understand how difficult it is to get the federal government to execute projects because everybody is pulling from every side. Just as I am pulling for this side, people are pulling for the other sides and the money is not just enough. So, by the time they say let them take one million here, take 20 million there, before you know, it will not be enough to achieve anything meaningful. That is why you see projects span years and years.”

The Senator further disclosed that the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) had also agreed to partly sponsor some of the projects.

Speaking on his supposed rift with Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Adol Peterside, Abe said there was no crack between he and them, adding that he maintains a cordial relationship with the duo.