The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has expressed concern over the rupture of a ground tank at Ebubu community in Eleme local government area of Rivers State, that occured at about 10:30am Saturday.
It would recalled that early this month, a water station in Gwara community, Khana LGA collapsed days after it was inaugurated by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal.
Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, had immediately after the incident constituted a high-level committee to visit the site and commence investigation into the immediate and remote cause of the incident.
Prof Zabbey also empathised with the Gwara community and asked for calm, assuring that steps are being taken to ensure the damaged facility is being restored, and water reticulated to affected communities.
Reacting to the current development, Head of Communication, HYPREP, Mr. Enuolare Mba-Nwigoh, revealed that on the directive of the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Zabbey, a team led by the Director of Technical Services
(DTS), Prof Damian-Paul, visited the scene to assess the
situation.
As at the time of this report, Nwigoh revealed that the water station has been cordoned off for public safety.
In a statement signed made available to journalists in Port Harcourt, Nwigoh said “We sincerely regret the inconveniences this has caused the Ebubu community. We also appeal to the good people of Ebubu and the public to remain calm as the project is taking prompt steps to restore water to the community.
Stating that the cause of the incident was yet to ascertain, Nwigoh disclosed that the federal government agency has commenced investigation to unravel the reason for the rupture.
According to Nwigoh “The Project Coordinator has further directed the Chief Security Officer of HYPREP to immediately tighten security across all HYPREP’s project sites to forestall interference with the facilities.
Henceforth, non-project personnel and non-facility staff are not allowed into the 16 water facilities and any active HYPREP sites in Ogoni without authorization.”
Despite the setback, HYPREP reiterates its commitment to
delivering sustainable cleanup in Ogoniland.
Blessing Ibunge
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