Ogoni Cleanup Delivering Tangible Results Through Community Ownership, Says HYPREP Coordinator
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has celebrated a decade of the Ogoni Cleanup initiative, declaring that sustained community ownership and stakeholder collaboration are yielding significant environmental and socio-economic benefits across Ogoniland.
In a statement marking the anniversary of the launch of the cleanup exercise on June 2, 2016, HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, said the project has moved beyond its foundational stages to achieve measurable results in environmental remediation, public health, potable water supply, livelihood restoration, and infrastructure development.
According to Zabbey, the success recorded so far reflects the commitment of the Federal Government and the active participation of Ogoni communities, regulators, government agencies, international oil companies, and civil society organisations.
"Today marks another milestone in the implementation of the Ogoni Cleanup. The project's impact and implementation successes have been achieved through deliberate and sustained involvement of the Ogoni community and other stakeholders," the HYPREP Project Coordinator stated.
Providing an update on environmental remediation, Prof. Zabbey disclosed that 30 of the 65 hydrocarbon-polluted sites identified by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for cleanup have been successfully remediated and closed out.
He added that remediation work is ongoing at 17 medium-risk complex sites, while detailed site characterisation is progressing at the remaining 18 high-risk sites in preparation for full-scale remediation.
The Project Coordinator further noted that HYPREP is leading what he described as the world's largest restoration of oil-degraded mangroves.
"As of today, a total of 1,537,885 mangrove seedlings of different species have been planted. 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 said.
On potable water supply, Zabbey revealed that 49 communities have been connected through multiple water schemes and booster stations designed to provide safe drinking water throughout Ogoniland.
He explained that the project has also constructed wind-powered water facilities in sparsely populated communities to ensure inclusive access to potable water.
In the health sector, the HYPREP boss disclosed that the Ogoni Specialist Hospital and a 43-bed Cottage Hospital are nearing completion and are expected to significantly improve healthcare delivery in the area.
He added that three hospitals and one health centre have already been strengthened, while four additional health facilities are undergoing renovation and equipment upgrades.
To improve emergency response services, HYPREP has donated five ambulances to healthcare facilities across Ogoniland and continues to organise periodic medical outreaches for residents.
Prof. Zabbey also announced the commencement of a three-year comprehensive human health biomonitoring study in Ogoniland being conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialised agency of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Highlighting the project's livelihood restoration efforts, the HYPREP Project Coordinator said thousands of youths and women have benefited from vocational, technical, agricultural, and entrepreneurship programmes.
He noted that more than 7,000 direct jobs have been created under the current administration, while beneficiaries have received training in specialised fields such as creative arts, cabin crew services, seafaring, mechatronics, commercial diving, underwater welding, mud logging, full-stack development, cybersecurity, cloud mapping, and rigging.
According to him, HYPREP has also trained 5,000 youths and women in 21 skill areas, including argon welding, metal fabrication, offshore and onshore operations, crane operation, solar panel installation, CCTV installation, and data analytics, with beneficiaries receiving start-up kits to support self-employment.
In addition, the project has established 31 environmental clubs in secondary schools, implemented internship programmes for undergraduates, and trained over 2,500 youths who have obtained International Maritime Organization (IMO) certification and are currently engaged in shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration activities.
Prof. Zabbey disclosed that educational grants and scholarships have been awarded to more than 1,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, while business support grants have been provided to 60 small and medium-scale enterprises.
He further revealed that 300 persons living with special needs have received training across five skill areas to promote economic inclusion.
On peacebuilding and security, the Project Coordinator said the engagement of 1,000 youths in civil security initiatives and the intervention of the Central Representative Advisory Committee (CRAC) in conflict resolution have contributed significantly to stability in Ogoniland.
He also highlighted ongoing legacy projects, including the Ogoni Power Project and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), which has attained 96 per cent completion.
Prof. Zabbey announced that the Ogoniland Wetland has been designated a Ramsar Site of International Importance by the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands, describing the recognition as a major milestone in environmental conservation efforts.
"We celebrate this feat with the Ogoni people and commit to establishing biodiversity baselines, promoting the wise use of wetland resources, and conserving the site for the benefit of present and future generations," he said.
Reaffirming HYPREP's commitment to the full implementation of UNEP's recommendations, the Project Coordinator said the agency is strengthening partnerships with international organisations, diplomatic institutions, and the private sector to ensure the timely completion of the project and the sustainable development of Ogoniland.
He expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Environment, international oil companies, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, and the people of Ogoni for their continued support.
Prof. Zabbey called on all stakeholders to sustain the spirit of peace, cooperation, and harmony as efforts continue to restore the environment, livelihoods, health, and dignity of the Ogoni people and the wider Niger Delta region.
