“Consequently, in the next few weeks, the government will commence activities towards the cleaning of the oil-polluted Ogoniland to halt further degradation of biological resources and the ecosystem and restore the livelihoods of the people. Specifically, Mr. President has agreed to do that on June 2."
The Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, has disclosed that the long-awaited cleanup of Ogoniland will commence on June 2, 2016.
Ms. Mohammed spoke today through the ministry's permanent secretary, Bukar Hassan, at the 2016 International Day of Biodiversity, which took place at the Obasanjo Space Centre, Abuja.
According to the minister, the cleanup exercise to be commenced next week will be officially flagged off by President Muhammadu Buhari.
She added that the federal government hopes to restore the Lake Chad basin and other mangrove swamps across the country as part of an effort to ensure the restoration of biodiversity in Nigeria.
“The government has resolved to restore three critical ecosystems – the fast-disappearing Lake Chad basin, the mangrove ecosystem, and the highly-polluted Niger Delta wetlands – towards sustaining the livelihood of many Nigerians and ensuring the maintenance of ecosystem diversity and integrity.
“Consequently, in the next few weeks, the government will commence activities towards the cleaning of the oil-polluted Ogoniland to halt further degradation of biological resources and the ecosystem and restore the livelihoods of the people. Specifically, Mr. President has agreed to do that on June 2,” she said.
The minister added that the government plans to invest in community herbal programs designed to consider the health advantages of herbs.