President Bola Tinubu has reinstated Professor Nenibarini Zabbey as the project coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), just days after his controversial removal.
Ajuri Ngelale, the spokesperson for President Tinubu, announced the reinstatement on Monday, citing a comprehensive performance review of Professor Zabbey’s tenure.
The statement read: “President Bola Tinubu has approved the reinstatement of Professor Nenibarini Zabbey as the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
“The President reached the decision following a performance review of the HYPREP Project Coordinator and concluded that the Project Coordinator is fit to discharge his functions in accordance with the regulations guiding the execution of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
“By the directive of the President, the reinstatement of the HYPREP Project Coordinator takes immediate effect.”
President Tinubu had initially replaced Professor Zabbey with Olufemi Adekanmbi, a former commissioner for special duties, culture, and tourism in Ondo State, on Saturday.
This decision sparked outrage, particularly from the Ogoni community and related advocacy groups.
The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) was at the forefront of the opposition to Professor Zabbey’s removal.
MOSOP President Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu issued a strongly worded statement on Sunday, condemning the appointment of Mr. Adekanmbi, a non-Ogoni indigene, as the new project coordinator.
He said MOSOP viewed the appointment as an insult to the Ogoni people and their right to lead the remediation project within their own community.
In their statement, MOSOP demanded the immediate reinstatement of Professor Zabbey and threatened to seal off the HYPREP office in Port Harcourt if their demands were not met.
HYPREP is a federal government agency tasked with addressing hydrocarbon pollution in Ogoni communities, a significant environmental and public health issue resulting from decades of oil extraction and spills.
