The Federal Government, through the Centre for Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU) and the Federal Ministry of Environment, has commended the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) for notable progress in the implementation of the Ogoni Clean-up Programme.
The commendation followed a two-day inspection tour of ongoing and completed project sites across Ogoniland, undertaken as part of efforts to accelerate delivery of the clean-up programme in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
CRDCU Coordinator, Esege Ebei-Esege, who represented the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, described HYPREP’s interventions as high-impact deliverables of the Federal Government. He said the visit was aimed at evaluating project performance and ensuring timely and effective implementation.
Ebei-Esege praised HYPREP, under the leadership of Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, for the milestones recorded within less than two years, noting the strong sense of ownership demonstrated by host Ogoni communities. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the full implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoniland and assured that CRDCU would facilitate stronger inter-agency collaboration to fast-track project execution and completion.
Responding, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Zabbey, expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as an opportunity for the CRDCU team to assess physical projects and livelihood interventions firsthand. He highlighted key achievements, including the completion of Phase One of the Mangrove Restoration project and significant progress on shoreline remediation.
He disclosed that preparations are underway for International Maritime Organization (IMO)-certified training of community workers ahead of Phase Two of the shoreline remediation project, with participant lists currently being compiled from affected communities.
Among other milestones, Prof. Zabbey announced that the K-Dere Water Facility is ready for inauguration, while the Ogoni Wetlands are expected to be designated a Ramsar Site of International Importance later this year. He added that the Ogoni Power Project is progressing steadily, with the installation of two 60 MVA transformers and transmission towers at the Bodo Transmission Sub-station already underway.
The Project Coordinator further explained that HYPREP is implementing all UNEP recommendations simultaneously, while also engaging in innovative research to support national directives on food security and plastic reduction. He revealed the use of growcoons—biodegradable bags—as alternatives to plastics in mangrove planting, as well as experimental soil-enhancement processes on remediated sites to improve crop yields.
According to him, HYPREP, in partnership with an Indian biotechnology firm, has successfully isolated indigenous beneficial microbes to develop biofertilizers, which have shown significant improvements in agricultural output during trials. “We cannot execute a project of this magnitude without contributing to the global science of remediation and restoration. Overall, we are doing very well,” he said.
Also speaking, Engr. Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Joint Venture representative on the HYPREP Governing Council, expressed optimism that the visit would further accelerate project implementation. He reiterated Renaissance’s commitment to the Ogoni Clean-up Programme, noting that the inspection underscored the Federal Government’s strong support for HYPREP.
The visiting delegation, led to project sites by Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi, Director of Technical Services, toured several facilities, including Buan Cottage Hospital, the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, Ogoni Power Projects at Wiiyaakara and Bodo, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), Eteo and Ebubu Water Stations, remediation sites in Botem and Ogale, the high-risk complex site at Nsisionoken, mangrove restoration areas in Bomu, and shoreline remediation sites in K-Dere.
The visit concluded with a debriefing session involving key project heads and stakeholders.
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