The Federal Government has earmarked $190million for the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme clean-up exercise in Ogoni land.
Senator Magnus Abe representing Rivers South East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, disclosed this in an exclusive chat with our correspondent in Port Harcourt.
Abe explained that the National Assembly was still making moves to increase the budgetary provision for the clean-up exercise to $200million to fast-track the commencement of the project.
The lawmaker added that the amount was part of this year’s contributions by the Dutch oil company, Shell, towards the clean-up exercise in Ogoni land.
UNEP had in its 2011 report presented to the Federal Government, recommended that at least $1billion would be required in the first five years for the project expected to be completed in five years.
On the completion of East West Road, Abe explained that he was also working with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to increase the budgetary provision for the project, which was started by former president Olusegun Obasanjo.
The lawmaker lamented that the contractor handling the project had enough funds to go back to site, adding that the contractor had promised to add his own resources to the amount needed to complete the project, if they were given a minimum amount.
