The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has recorded substantial progress in the implementation of the Ogoni cleanup programme, according to information presented during its Quarter Four (Q4) 2025 regulators, asset owners, partners and stakeholders review meeting held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. The meeting brought together key regulators, asset owners, technical partners, contractors and community representatives to evaluate activities carried out during the final quarter of 2025 and to assess the overall status of the long-running environmental remediation effort in Ogoniland.
HYPREP explained that the quarterly review meeting forms part of its structured engagement process designed to promote transparency, accountability and collaboration among all parties involved in the Ogoni cleanup. The Project said the forum provides an opportunity to formally present detailed progress reports, outline achievements, identify operational challenges and shortfalls, and receive constructive feedback from stakeholders and regulators. Although convened in January, the session focused specifically on reviewing performance and outcomes recorded in Q4 2025.
According to the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, one of the major areas of progress recorded during the quarter was in soil and groundwater remediation, with remediation activities! advancing significantly across several impacted sites in Ogoniland.
He noted that the remediation works are critical to restoring polluted land and water resources and to safeguarding public health in affected communities.
He also announced the successful completion of Phase One of its mangrove restoration programme, recording 100 percent completion of planting activities across designated locations.
Prof Zabbey, who was represented by the Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian Paul-Aguiyi, disclosed that the project has now transitioned into the monitoring phase, with some of the restored mangrove sites already monitored for up to nine months after planting to assess growth, survival rates and ecosystem recovery, describing the development as a major milestone in its effort to restore damaged coastal ecosystems in the Niger Delta.
The Project Coordinator further indicated that shoreline cleanup activities progressed steadily during the quarter, with over 70 percent of the targeted shoreline areas already cleaned, stressing that the shoreline cleanup forms a critical component of the overall remediation strategy, aimed at addressing years of hydrocarbon pollution along coastal and riverine areas in Ogoniland.
Beyond environmental remediation, he disclosed that it has continued to expand access to potable water across Ogoni communities, noting that clean water supply remains a key intervention to improve public health and living conditions in the area. He further revealed that additional communities benefited from water projects during the period under review.
Updates were also provided on the Ogoni Power Project, with HYPREP confirming that most of the equipment and components required for the project have been successfully procured and delivered. According to the Project, the equipment are currently stored at the Wiiyikhara Substation facility, pending installation and deployment as the project progresses. The power project is expected to support economic activities and improve quality of life in Ogoniland once completed.
During the meeting, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and other stakeholders raised concerns regarding monitoring and the risk of re-pollution of areas already cleaned under the project. In response, HYPREP acknowledged the concern and reiterated that preventing re-pollution remains one of its major priorities, stressing that it would be counterproductive to allow areas already remediated with public resources to be polluted again.
The Project explained that it operates a dedicated stakeholder engagement unit alongside a security unit, both of which work collaboratively to sensitise host communities on the dangers and long-term consequences of re-pollution, noting that community awareness and cooperation are essential to protecting completed remediation work and to sustaining the benefits of the cleanup project, particularly in relation to livelihoods and environmental health.
Speaking to newsmen, HYPREP Project Support Lead and representative of Renaissance Africa Energy, Engr Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, described his involvement with HYPREP as an encouraging and insightful experience, and observed that the Project is implementing a wide range of projects across Ogoniland, spanning immediate remediation works as well as livelihood support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of affected communities.
Engr Igbinomwanhia said Renaissance Africa Energy remains fully committed to supporting the objectives of the Ogoni cleanup project, noting that the organisation has a long history of collaboration with HYPREP.
He added that the partnership has been characterised by continuous learning, adaptation and a willingness to respond to observations and recommendations aimed at improving project outcomes.
He further emphasised the importance of safety in all project operations, particularly given the challenging terrain and operating conditions in Ogoniland.
He noted that safety is treated as a critical priority and that contractors are continually reminded to maintain high safety standards, stressing that lessons learned from previous operational challenges like the collapse of the water facility in Gwara Community are being applied to strengthen safety practices and overall performance.
Participants at the meeting used the opportunity to call on the people of Ogoniland to continue supporting the cleanup programme and to take ownership of the process. They stressed that the progress recorded so far demonstrates a strong commitment to restoring the environment and addressing decades of environmental degradation in the region. Stakeholders emphasised that sustained community cooperation and protection of remediated sites are essential to ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of the Ogoni cleanup project. They generally commended HYPREP for the excellent work it is carrying out in Ogoniland, and stressed the need for improvement.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) was represented at the meeting by Deputy Director/Head,NOSDRA Reference Laboratory, Dr Kenneth Aroh, while Prof Iyenemi Kakulu represented the Rivers State University at the event. Mr Ogbe Emmanuel represented the Federal Ministry of Environment while the Rivers State Ministry of Environment was represented by Dr Moses Bereiwerise. The Stakeholder Democratic Network (SDN); the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); representatives of the Rivers State Ministry of Power; the Rivers State Ministry of Health; among other organisations were participants at the meeting.Mr Goodluck Msu of HYPREP's Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, presented the status of projects being carried out while Mr Ifok Ndiyo anchored the programme.
Despite the enviable milestones it has recorded so far, the Project listed the challenges it is currently facing to include inability of some contractors to comply with timelines; flooding of project implementation sites; litigation and court cases; variation claims by contractors; contractors' equipment theft; and unresolved land access restrictions; among others.
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