The Board of Trustees of the Ogoni Trust Fund Incorporated under the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called for sustained global collaboration to tackle environmental challenges in oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta.
Mr. Emmanuel Deeyah, HYPREP BOT Chairman, made the call on Thursday in Abuja.
The appeal comes ahead of a conference on Donor Facilitation and Diplomatic Support Engagement, scheduled for May 26, aimed at strengthening partnerships for environmental restoration and sustainable development in Ogoniland.
Deeyah said the complexity of pollution in the region required coordinated efforts among governments, development partners, diplomatic missions, multilateral agencies, civil society organisations, and the private sector.
“As HYPREP advances the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recommendations, there is a growing need for technical cooperation, funding partnerships, policy support, research collaboration, and the adoption of international best practices.
“The conference is designed as a strategic platform to mobilise support and accelerate ongoing remediation efforts.
“The conference aims to showcase HYPREP’s progress and milestones while strengthening relationships with donor agencies and diplomatic missions,” he said.
He added that the conference would also mobilise technical and financial support, promote sustainable development in impacted communities, and encourage international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Other objectives include boosting stakeholder confidence and exploring innovative partnerships for long-term ecological sustainability.
Deeyah said the expected outcomes would increase international visibility for HYPREP’s initiatives, deepen donor engagement, and create new funding and partnership opportunities.
He listed the project’s major milestones as the completion of Phase One remediation across 50 lots, ongoing Phase Two remediation across 39 lots covering over 125 hectares, training of more than 2,400 community workers, and the creation of over 7,000 direct jobs.
He also highlighted the empowerment of over 5,000 youths and women as well as medical outreaches that have reached more than 12,600 residents.
Deeyah said shoreline clean-up was ongoing in eight communities, while over 1.5 million mangrove seedlings had been planted to restore ecosystems.
On infrastructure and public health, he said HYPREP was expanding access to potable water through 25 headworks, seven booster stations, and projects in 69 communities.
He added that a 40-bed cottage hospital in Buan Community was nearing completion, while the Ogoni Specialist Hospital had reached 78 percent completion.
He noted that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had commenced a comprehensive human health biomonitoring programme in Ogoniland, while construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration had reached 96 percent.
“The Ogoni Power Project and other infrastructure initiatives are creating jobs and supporting sustainable development.
“On research and stakeholder engagement, HYPREP continues to strengthen partnerships with international institutions, while technical staff receive specialised training in environmental remediation.
“The project remains committed to transparency, community participation, peacebuilding, and engagement with donors and development partners.”
HYPREP was established by the Federal Government under the Federal Ministry of Environment to implement the recommendations of the 2011 UNEP Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland.
Since operations began in 2016, the project has focused on environmental remediation, public health interventions, livelihood restoration, infrastructure development, research, and peacebuilding.
