Buhari Vows To Clean Up Ogoniland

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Nairobi reaffirmed  his administration’s resolve to  implement the United Nations Environmental Programme’s (UNEP’s) recommendations for the clean up of Ogoniland and other parts of Niger Delta damaged by crude oil spillage.

Speaking during a visit to the United Nations Office in the Kenyan capital, President Buhari urged the United Nations to give more support for his administration’s efforts to clean up the region.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said:

“When I came into office on May 29, 2015, one of the first tasks I carried out was to authorise the implementation of the recommendations of UNEP for the clean-up of  Ogoniland.

“The devastation caused by oil spillage has destroyed lives and livelihoods and is one of the reasons people in that region  lost faith in government and  resorted to criminal activities.

“The action our government took to implement UNEP’s recommendations has given the indigenes hope.”

Buhari said with half of the world’s population in cities, leaders must pay greater attention to rapid urbanisation.

Resident Coordinator of the UN Office Ms Sahle-Work Zewde said  Buhari’s election in a free and fair election demonstrated the commitment of Nigerians to democracy.

She described Nigeria as a “crucial member of the UN,  a vital partner and a major contributor to  UN peacekeeping operations.”

Before leaving the UN Office, President Buhari undertook the symbolic planting of a tree, a tradition reserved for visiting Heads of State and Government.