On March 29th, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) granted approval for the continuation of the Ogoni cleanup exercise, with a whopping N59.78 billion. The FEC also sanctioned two significant contracts for the creation of an environmental restoration Centre of Excellence at Wiiyaakara in the Kana council region of Rivers State and a 100-bed specialist hospital in Ogoni.
During the Council meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, Mohammed Abdullahi, the Minister of Environment, addressed State House correspondents, indicating that the projects’ goal is to facilitate efficient and cost-effective approaches to contamination management and environmental restoration. The projects will also enhance the well-being and welfare of people affected by the adverse effects of contamination in those areas.
Abdullahi presented two memos on behalf of the Ministry of Environment and HYPREP Project Office. The first memo approved the award of a contract to CCECC Nigeria Limited for the construction of the Centre of Excellence for environmental restoration at Wiiyaakara, Bori, in Khana local government area of River State, valued at N41,472,263,848.60, and with a completion period of 24 months. The second memo approved the construction of Ogoni’s 100-bed specialist hospital, valued at N18,308,463,225.37, plus 7.5% of VAT, and awarded to Messrs Tannit Medical Engineering Limited, with a delivery period of 24 months. Both contracts align with the UNEP Report’s level components.