President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the Project Coordinator, Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, Dr. Ferdinard Giadom, after DAILY NIGERIAN exposé on sundry corruption allegations at the HYPREP office in Rivers State.
Recall that DAILY NIGERIAN had exclusively reported how a naval rating attached to the HYPREP security unit, O. Badamasi, had dumped his uniform, rifle and service ID card after stealing N39million from his commander, Owns Izokpu, the HYPREP’s acting Head of Security Unit.
The report triggered reactions, with people questioning the source of the stolen money as it was suspected to be the proceeds of corruption at the project site popularly known as Ogoni Clean-up.
Thereafter, the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, had ordered a discreet investigation into the finances of the HYPREP office, including the provision of all expenditure profiles of all contract payments and supporting agreements for such contracts from June 1 to date.
At the conclusion if investigations, the minister recommended the removal of the project coordinator from office.
In a letter dated May 2, the minister said the removal was with immediate effect.
The letter read: “I write to convey approval of Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for your removal from office as Project Coodinator, Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project with Immediate Effect.
“You are to handover all properties of HYPREP in your custody toyour successor on or before Thursday, 4th May, 2023.”
