The National Youth Council of Ogoni People on Friday in Abuja demanded the implementation of a 20 percent pay rise for trainees under the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project.
According to The PUNCH, in a statement signed by Kpaede Felix, Special Adviser to NYCOP president Nwibani Raymond, the Council emphasized that the pay rise is essential due to the current economic downturn in the country.
HYPREP, a federal government agency under the Federal Ministry of Environment, was established to address soil and groundwater contamination in Ogoniland and surrounding areas, with a focus on local capacity building and environmental awareness.
The NYCOP statement highlighted, “You’ll recall that HYPREP’s core mandate is fixated on attaining to economic, social and environmental challenges plaguing communities damaged by hydrocarbon pollution. Part of its mandate cut across the transformation of lives, to rejuvenate lost hope and to improve the environment through her laid down plans.
“The positive attitude of the Project Coordinator, Prof. Nanibarini Zabbey, makes this difficult project so much more manageable and far-reaching, his enthusiasm and commitment in achieving his goals are topnotch which is seen been manifested in a series of completed projects geared to alleviating the people’s plight and placing them to a purposeful driven venture.
“We make bold to say that Ogoni youths are happy with the level of work done so far after a critical and thorough assessment of your performances. The over 5000 Ogoni youths trained and the livelihood program stands as a testament to that regard, it’s worthy of note to see how you’ve prioritized the active involvement of our youths which is seen as the strength of any society that wants to survive and grow in all facets.
“Following your antecedence right from your days in the classroom, we earnestly appeal that the 20% pay rise already agreed upon be paid to them following the economic downturn which has given rise to price hikes in our daily household commodities, also the starter packs be given to them. We know more glory days await Ogoni youths.”
The statement concluded by noting that HYPREP seeks to ensure sustainable livelihoods and development while fostering security and peace-building efforts, and has consistently recruited graduate trainees to meet its objectives.
