The Movement for The Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has criticised the Federal Government’s decision to replace the current HYPREP Coordinator and an Ogoni native, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, with Dr. Olufemi Adekanmbi.
In a statement, MOSOP argued that Prof. Zabbey, a non-partisan Ogoni, is highly qualified and dedicated to the role, which focuses on the environmental remediation of Ogoni land based on the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Report.
In the statement signed by MOSOP President, Prof. Olu Wai-Oguso, the group demanded the immediate reinstatement of Prof. Zabbey to complete his tenure, ensure that HYPREP is not used to settle political scores, and allow appointed HYPREP Coordinators to serve their full terms for stability and growth in Ogoni.
MOSOP threatened to block the new appointee from entering Ogoni and seal the HYPREP office in Port-Harcourt if a non-Ogoni is appointed as HYPREP Coordinator.
It said, “MOSOP insists that HYPREP must serve the Ogoni people and not political interests.”
The leadership change in HYPREP has continued to attract reactions since its announcement. On Saturday, July 13 in a press release signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media, the approval of the appointment of the new HYPREP PC, Dr. Olufemi Adekambi was announced.
He replaces Prof Nenibarini Zabbey who has served one year out of the statutory four-year tenure stipulated for HYPREP’s Project Co-ordinator.
