The Senate, yesterday, instructed its Committee on Environment to commence investigations into the implementation of the Ogoni cleanup exercise. The Federal Government launched the cleanup project in June last year. The initial cost of the cleanup exercise was put at $1 billion. Apart from the investigation, the environment committee was also asked to assess the progress of the Great Green Wall Programme initiated to control desertification in 12 northern states.
The resolutions followed a motion on “World Environment Day” sponsored by the Chairman,
Senate Committee on Environment, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. Senator Tinubu expressed worry that despite the launch of the Ogoni cleanup campaign, it does not appear that work has commenced in the area.
Senator Tinubu in her lead debate noted that 5th of June is World Environment Day, set aside to create awareness for environmental issues and protection of the environment. She further noted that the theme for this year’s World Environment Day was “Connecting People to Nature,” in celebration of nature’s beauty and man’s dependence on nature for his wellbeing.