UNEP to Begin Cleaning Up the Niger Delta

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is preparing for a massive clean up operation of oil spills in the Niger Delta, including in Ogoni.

UNEP’s Country Director, Turhan Saleh said the clean up work would be the most challenging task the organization has undertaken in recent years.

The year long first phase of the project would include visits to spill sites, consultations with the people, recruitment and training of both local and expatriate staff.

Saleh also assured the people that the second phase of the clean up would deal with environmental contamination in the area. Ogoni community leaders are said to have pledged support for the UN clean-up operations.