Members of the International Working Group on Petroleum Pollution and Just Energy Transition have commended the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) for what they described as impressive progress in the implementation of the Ogoni cleanup exercise, expressing optimism for possible collaboration in the remediation of other polluted parts of the Niger Delta.
The international delegation gave the commendation during a debriefing session at the HYPREP headquarters in Port Harcourt on Friday after touring several HYPREP project sites across Ogoni communities in Rivers State.
Leader of the delegation, Dr. Isaac Osuoka, said the group was highly impressed with the scale and quality of projects executed by HYPREP under the leadership of the Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey.
“We are really impressed with what you’ve done, and believe there could be possibilities for collaboration, seeing what is on ground,” Osuoka stated.
He specifically praised HYPREP’s achievements in key areas including mangrove restoration, potable water provision, land remediation, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, and the Ogoni Specialist Hospital project.
According to him, the projects represent strategic interventions capable of transforming livelihoods and restoring environmental sustainability in the Niger Delta if sustained and replicated across other impacted communities.
Responding, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to fully implementing the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoniland.
Prof. Zabbey disclosed that HYPREP had completed potable water projects in 49 communities, while many ongoing projects had reached between 90 and 96 percent completion.
He explained that HYPREP was established not only for Ogoni cleanup but also as a template for environmental remediation in other impacted parts of the Niger Delta and beyond.
The Project Coordinator further stated that the mangrove restoration programme being implemented by HYPREP is community-driven and backed by scientific research and innovation.
He revealed that the Project had developed a globally useful manual for mangrove restoration and introduced the use of “Growcoon” technology for mangrove nurseries and planting in place of plastic materials.
According to him, HYPREP is also collaborating with universities on research into the possible use of Nypa palm in the production of Growcoon materials for environmentally friendly restoration processes.
On sustainable livelihoods, Prof. Zabbey disclosed that over 7,000 community workers had been engaged through HYPREP programmes, while about 3,000 persons had received International Maritime Organization (IMO) training and certification alongside several others trained in high-demand vocational skills.
He also informed the delegation that Ogoni wetlands had recently received international recognition and certification as a Ramsar Site by the Convention on Wetlands.
Earlier during the visit, members of the International Working Group toured several HYPREP facilities and project sites including the reticulated potable water facility in Kporghor, Tai Local Government Area, the mangrove restoration site in Bomu, Gokana Local Government Area, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration and Ogoni Power Project in Wiiyaakara, Khana Local Government Area, the Ogoni Specialist Hospital in Kpite, Tai LGA, and land and groundwater remediation sites in Eleme Local Government Area.
The delegation also called on the Federal Government, international oil companies and other stakeholders to extend similar environmental remediation projects to other polluted communities across the Niger Delta region.
Members of the international team included Prof. Michael Watts of the University of California, Prof. Engobo Emeseh of Aberystwyth University, UK, Prof. Anna Zalik of York University, Canada, Dr. Emem Okon of Kebetkache Women Development Centre, Kathryn Nwajiaku-Dahou of ODI Global, and environmental rights advocate, Celestine Akpobari, among others.
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