HOUSE of Representatives Committee on Environment watched in amazement, as attaches of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) beat up protesters during ongoing visit to Rivers state to monitor Ogoni Cleanup.
The Committee led by its Chairman, Johnson Oghuma, were at Mogho cleanup site in Gokana Local Government Area when the HYPREP aides allegedly led by a Community Liaison Officer in the locality pounced on the protesters led by Ogoni activist, Stephen Deegbara.
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Deegbara, among his placards carrying protesters, was addressing the Reps members on perceived highhandedness on the Ogoni cleanup when the HYPREP attachés dragged him from the scene, seizing and destroying their placards before physically assaulting Deegbara and his colleagues who had to run for their lives.
Disturbed at the development, Holy Michael, Special Adviser to the President-General,
Ogoni Youth Federation, accused HYPREP of applying divide and rule to “Perpetually Suppress Ogoni People and cover up massive fraud and in the cleanup process.
Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Marvin Dekil, has however repeatedly deny any shady deal and highhandedness in the process, saying strict checks in management of the process won’t allow any foul play.
Meanwhile, The Reps Committee Chairman, Oghuma, on Tuesday, has demanded provision of potable water for the communities in the oil degraded Ogoni environment without further delay.
He said his committee on Environment were on the visit to see the extent of work done, acknowledging that remediation was in progress, though slow.
The House Committee will be in Rivers State for three days for the exercise.
SEE VIDEO BELOW: Protesters assaulted by HYPREP’s attachés over as House of Reps Committee on Environment visits Ogoniland, Rivers state on Ogoni Cleanup
