The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has announced 94 percent completion of the first phase of its mangrove restoration programme, alongside major progress in land and shoreline remediation projects across Ogoniland.
Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, made this known during the 3rd Quarter Interactive Session with Ogoni youth groups held in Port Harcourt over the weekend.
Zabbey explained that the quarterly forum, initiated in 2023, aims to promote transparency, inclusiveness, and constructive dialogue with Ogoni youths on the ongoing environmental cleanup and development projects.
According to him, the project remains firmly on track to deliver on its mandate as outlined in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report and the official gazette establishing HYPREP. “We are committed to transparency and accountability in implementing the cleanup projects and activities,” he said.
He noted that while mangrove restoration has reached 94 percent completion, shoreline remediation stands at 67.1 percent, and phase two of land remediation is 36.55 percent complete.
On water supply, Zabbey disclosed that 14 completed water facilities have been commissioned, providing safe drinking water to 40 Ogoni communities. He added that two additional facilities in Bane and Gwara would be inaugurated next week, raising the number of benefiting communities to 45.
He further revealed that the process of operationalising the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Remediation had commenced, while the Ogoni Power Project was making steady progress, with wayleave compensation and construction ongoing at Bodo and Wiiyaakara substations.
Zabbey also announced that the Ogoni Specialist Hospital was 76.8 percent completed, while the Buan Cottage Hospital had reached 98.7 percent, in addition to public health initiatives such as the ongoing Human Bio-Monitoring Survey.
Highlighting HYPREP’s impact on livelihoods, he said over 7,000 Ogoni women and youths have secured employment through the project, and 5,000 others trained in various skills and provided with start-up kits. He added that new training programmes in cybersecurity, full-stack development, mud logging, commercial diving, and underwater welding would begin this quarter.
Zabbey urged Ogoni youths to remain peaceful, resist misinformation, and continue engaging constructively with project teams. “This project belongs to all of you, and its success depends mainly on your participation, unity, and constructive engagement. Let us continue to address challenges through dialogue rather than confrontation,” he said.
He also extended best wishes to postgraduate applicants participating in HYPREP’s scholarship computer-based test and commended the agency’s security team for maintaining peace and order across project sites.
The Project Coordinator reaffirmed HYPREP’s commitment to ensuring that “the benefits of the Ogoni cleanup reach all categories of Ogoni youths whether in business, farming, advocacy, education, entrepreneurship, or community development.”
