The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has made significant progress in restoring fragile ecosystems through mangrove restoration and shoreline cleanup in heavily impacted areas of Ogoniland.
Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, HYPREP Project Coordinator, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said HYPREP is marking its 10th anniversary by showcasing a comprehensive scorecard of achievements in the environmental and socio-economic restoration of Ogoniland.
“The Ogoni Cleanup was launched at the Bodo waterfront by the Federal Government of Nigeria on June 2, 2016, while the HYPREP Project Coordination Office (PCO) was established in February 2017 to coordinate the exercise.
“On this anniversary, HYPREP celebrates the ongoing progress in restoring the environmental integrity and socio-economic well-being of Ogoniland, in line with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recommendations.
“Over the years, the project has transitioned from its foundational phases to high-impact delivery across its core mandate areas. These achievements have been made possible through the deliberate and sustained involvement of the Ogoni people and other stakeholders,” Zabbey said.
READ ALSO: Lagos empowers 5,339 residents, graduates 5,310 in kills programme
He commended the support from local and international stakeholders and reiterated the project’s commitment to the comprehensive remediation of hydrocarbon-impacted sites and the restoration of livelihoods in affected communities.
Zabbey highlighted key milestones as follows:
Environmental Remediation and Mangrove Restoration: Significant progress has been recorded in remediating hydrocarbon-impacted sites. HYPREP has closed out 30 out of the 65 sites investigated and recommended for remediation by UNEP.
“Currently, 17 medium-risk complex sites are undergoing remediation, while detailed site characterisation of the remaining 18 high-risk complex sites is progressing towards remediation. The project is also leading the world’s largest restoration of oil-degraded mangroves, with 1,537,885 mangrove seedlings of different species (red, white, and black) planted so far.
“The successful cleanup of over 1,000 hectares of shoreline and the restoration of 560 hectares with thriving, multi-species mangroves are stimulating biodiversity recovery and enhancing local fisheries,” he added.
Zabbey noted that Phase II of the shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration is underway, while the project is close to achieving total water supply coverage across Ogoni communities. So far, 49 communities have been reticulated through multiple water schemes and booster stations designed to deliver safe drinking water.
Healthcare Infrastructure: The Ogoni Specialist Hospital and the 43-bed cottage hospital are nearing completion. HYPREP has strengthened three hospitals and one health centre, while four additional health facilities are currently being renovated and equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment. The project has also donated five ambulances to support emergency and referral services and conducts periodic medical outreaches in the area.
Human Health Biomonitoring: HYPREP has launched a three-year comprehensive human health biomonitoring study in Ogoniland, conducted by the World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Capacity Building and Socio-Economic Empowerment: In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, HYPREP has integrated environmental cleanup with human capacity development. Thousands of Ogoni youths and women have been trained and provided with start-up kits in specialised vocational, climate-smart agricultural, and technical skills.
Notable programmes include training in Creative Arts, Cabin Crew, Seafaring, Mechatronics, Commercial Diving, Underwater Welding, Mud Logging, Full Stack Development, Cybersecurity, GIS and Cloud Mapping, Rigging, Argon Welding, Metal Fabrication, Offshore/Onshore Operations, Crane Operation, Solar Panel and CCTV Installation, and Data Analytics.
The project has trained 5,000 Ogoni youths and women across 21 skill sets and provided them with start-up kits. It has also established 31 environmental clubs in secondary schools, initiated an internship programme for undergraduates, and trained over 2,500 Ogoni youths with International Maritime Organization certification.
Other initiatives include educational support grants and scholarships for over 1,000 Ogoni students, business support grants to 60 SMEs, and skills training for 300 people living with disabilities. Additionally, 1,000 youths have been engaged in Civil Security as a non-kinetic approach to peacebuilding.
Legacy Projects: HYPREP has prioritized transformative projects such as the Ogoni Power Project and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), which is now 96% complete. The project has received the Ramsar designation certificate and has commenced implementation of a five-year interim management plan for the Ogoni mangrove wetland. A bird survey of the Ogoni creeks was also recently launched.
Zabbey assured that HYPREP remains committed to accelerating the implementation of all UNEP-recommended actions and is actively building international, diplomatic, and private-sector partnerships to ensure the timely completion of the project and the long-term sustainable development of Ogoniland.
He commended the Federal Government, International Oil Companies (IOCs), traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and the Ogoni people for their continued support and ownership of the cleanup exercise.
“On this anniversary of the launch of the Ogoni cleanup, we call on all stakeholders to continue fostering peace, harmony, and cooperation as we work together to restore the land, health, and dignity of the Ogoni people and the Niger Delta region,” he appealed.
