Ogoni cleanup: 75% of mangrove restoration complete – HYPREP

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project has said the restoration of 560 hectares of oil-degraded mangroves in Ogoni, land, Rivers State is 75 per cent completed.

Also, HYPREP said the shoreline clean-up in the area has progressed to a 20 per cent completion rate, even as the agency disclosed that it will commence the socio-economic study of Ogoni in January 2025.

HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey disclosed this at the project review meeting with key Ogoni stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Zabbey described the meeting as critical for a broad spectrum of Ogoni stakeholders to collectively reflect on HYPREP achievements, brainstorm solutions to challenges, and deepen collaborations needed to sustain the progress of the Ogoni cleanup.

He stated, “Permit me to emphasise the significant progress recorded in key focal areas of the project. Our community-led restoration of 560 hectares of oil-degraded mangroves is 75 per cent completed.

“Shoreline clean-up has progressed to a 20% completion rate, while the soil and groundwater remediation of the medium-risk, complex sites has advanced substantially.

“Interestingly, as contaminated lands are remediated and shorelines cleaned up, more areas will be freed up for farming, fishing, and other productive uses.”

He said the rehabilitation efforts will significantly enhance the food security and livelihoods of the people of Ogoni and, by extension, other contiguous regions that depend on the ecosystem goods and services that the remediated lands and creeks provide.

The HYPEP Project Coordinator added, “We are also in exploratory talks with the Africa Development Bank to establish an agro-industrial processing hub in Ogoni.

“Also, I am delighted to inform the project stakeholders that the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration has reached 70 per cent completion.

“It (centre) is progressing steadily, offering hope for sustained capacity building of youths and women in demand-driven vocational skills and cutting-edge research for innovative remediation technology outcomes.”

He said the centre will serve as a repository of the extensive data and experiences gathered by HYPREP for future use, adding that significant progress has been made in improving access to potable water for Ogoni communities.

Prof. Zabbey said further, “We recognize the importance of access to sustainable clean water in enhancing public health and well-being, and we are making deliberate efforts to expand and sustain these interventions.

“These achievements underscore the federal government’s commitment through HYPREP to restoring the Ogoni environment and enabling sustainable development.”

He noted that the various HYPREP project activities in Ogoni have created 7000 direct jobs and ancillary indirect jobs for the youths and women of Ogoni.

Prof. Zabbey said HYPREP would continue developing people’s capacity through skill acquisition training and hands-on skill enhancement, saying, “For example, the unique internship programme for forty young Ogoni science and engineering graduates at the Centre of Excellence site is intentional. It will strengthen their employability capacity.”

The HYPREP boss disclosed. “I am happy that the socio-economic study of Ogoni will commence in January 2025. The research outputs will lead to the development of a blueprint for the socio-economic development of Ogoni.

“We acknowledge that more work remains to ensure that these benefits reach all those who need them most.  We understand that a project of this magnitude naturally attracts varying expectations and requires public scrutiny.

“This is why periodic reviews are crucial for inclusivity, transparency, and accountability. HYPREP is committed to these principles,” pointing out that the agency has redoubled its efforts to enhance communication and collaboration with all stakeholders.

“We must work together to stem misconceptions and ensure that communities fully understand the scope and limitations of HYPREP’s mandate.”

He appealed to all stakeholders to continue playing their roles actively and responsibly, saying “Your contributions, vigilance, and constructive engagement are invaluable for overcoming challenges and achieving our shared objectives.

“HYPREP remains fully committed to remediating the oil-impacted environment, empowering communities through its livelihoods programmes, and leaving a legacy of sustainable development in Ogoni, Prof. Zabbey added.

In a chat with our correspondent, a stakeholder and former Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. Barineme Fakae lauded the HYPRED boss and his team, saying they have shown improvements that they have done on the project.

Prof. Fakae added, “We’ve lost a number of things before because when we disagree, time is not on our side and before we know, we would have passed. So I think we should learn from what has happened before to understand that all we need to do is to allow the project to go on because if it doesn’t go on, we’ll be losing at the end of the day.”