Buhari reaffirms his commitment to clean-up Ogoni land

President Buhari today reaffirmed his administration's commitment to the implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme's recommendations for the clean-up of Ogoniland and other parts of the Niger Delta which have been damaged by crude oil spillage.

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

"When I came into office on 29th May 2015, one of the first tasks I carried out was to authorize the implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) for the clean-up of Ogoni land. 

The devastation caused by oil spillage has destroyed many lives and livelihoods and is clearly one of the reasons why many people in that region lost faith in Government and resorted to the many criminal activities we are seeing in the region today. The action our government took to implement UNEP's recommendations has given the indigenes of the region hope that there are better days ahead. 

Let me, therefore, express appreciation on behalf of the Government of Nigeria to UNEP and other development partners for their cooperation and support on this very delicate matter and also request for their continued support as we implement the recommendations and transform the fortunes of the region," he said.

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