The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its commitment to the successful implementation of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) for the environmental restoration of Ogoniland.
Zissimos Vergos, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, made this statement on Tuesday in Abuja at the Conference on Donor Facilitation and Diplomatic Support for HYPREP.
Vergos described the 2011 Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland conducted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as one of the most comprehensive environmental assessments ever carried out in Africa.
He said the report revealed decades of hydrocarbon contamination in the soil, groundwater, and mangrove ecosystems of Ogoniland, with severe consequences for the health and livelihoods of the people.
The EU envoy said the Nigerian government responded to the findings by establishing HYPREP, describing it as “an institutional commitment backed by law and resources to restore the environment.”
He noted that the EU became a long-standing partner in the remediation programme due to its robust governance structure, which includes the Governing Council, Board of Trustees, and Project Coordination Office.
“The structure was designed to promote accountability and sustain the trust of the Ogoni people,” he said.
“The European Union is not a new voice in the room but a long-standing partner with a considerable stake in the future of Ogoniland and the wider Niger Delta.”
Vergos said the EU has maintained institutional partnership and investment in the Niger Delta region for over 30 years through various community-based projects and interventions.
He added that the EU remains committed to promoting community-centred approaches to address environmental degradation, violence, and insecurity in the region.
The envoy said the EU would continue to advocate within multilateral institutions and through diplomatic channels for sustained international attention and support for the Ogoniland cleanup.
He stressed the need for remediation processes that are technically credible, community-centred, and free from conflicts of interest that could undermine public confidence.
Vergos described the recent progress recorded by HYPREP as a significant milestone but noted that much work still remains to be done.
He highlighted that greater speed, increased resources, and stronger international solidarity are required to successfully complete the cleanup, while the resilience and patience of the Ogoni people remain the moral foundation of the restoration programme.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that donor commitments have also come from financial institutions and development partners, including Fidelity Bank and Premium Trust Bank.
They pledged strong support for the project to restore the region.
