The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has announced the expansion of its livelihood programmes aimed at empowering Ogoni youths.
HYPREP Project Coordinator, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, made the announcement during a quarterly interactive session with Ogoni youths, noting that the programmes include postgraduate scholarships for Ogoni youths, support for medium and small-scale businesses, and capacity-building initiatives.
The HYPREP boss expressed optimism that the programmes will create a skilled professional workforce, develop alternative sources of livelihood for Ogoni youths, and secure a prosperous future for the region.
Professor Zabbey stressed that while restoring the polluted land, HYPREP also aims to enhance the people’s capacity to generate income.
Zabbey said: “We are pleased to announce that as part of HYPREP’s expanded livelihood programme, we are rolling out a new initiative to provide local postgraduate scholarship support to Ogoni students starting in October 2024.
“This is a significant development, and our objective is to empower Ogoni youths to pursue advanced education in fields that will benefit the Ogoni community and the nation at large. We believe that education is critical to long-term development, and this scholarship initiative is designed to create a cadre of skilled professionals in line with HYPREP’s effort to develop alternative sources of livelihood for youths who will lead Ogoniland into a green and prosperous future.
“The livelihood programme also includes support for small and medium-scale businesses, youth training, capacity building, and other empowerment initiatives to ensure that as we restore the land, we are also building the people’s capacity, especially you, the Ogoni youth, to move up the income ladder.
“We also have special programmes for people living with disabilities. HYPREP aims to equip you with the information, skills, education, and resources needed to live more meaningfully.”
While restating HYPREP’s commitment to ensuring that Ogoni youths are incorporated into opportunities created by the project, Zabbey urged the youths to ensure the success of the project with their support.
He also acknowledged that challenges such as boundary issues and access to lands still affected project execution but expressed hope that, with support from the youths, these obstacles would be overcome.
“As we look to the future, remember that you must ensure the success of the Ogoni cleanup. Therefore, I want to reassure you that HYPREP remains fully committed to ensuring that Ogoni youths are integrated into the empowerment opportunities in the project and that projects are completed within timelines.
“We also acknowledge a few challenges, such as access and land boundary issues, but we are confident we will achieve all our objectives with your support, cooperation, and patience. Remember, it is your duty as Ogoni youths to contribute accordingly,” Zabbey stated.
Zabbey used the opportunity to update the youths on the progress of other projects being embarked upon by the project, such as the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), the Ogoni Power Project, the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, the Buan Cottage Hospital, 14 water schemes, and a range of other special projects that he said would impact the lives of the Ogoni people.
He further encouraged the youths to continue engaging with the project office to make their contributions and receive feedback on the project.
Responding to questions concerning the Ogoni Power Project, Zabbey said the project would fully commence in January 2025, stressing that designs and mapping have been completed, including the shipment of facilities.
He also announced that compensation has been paid to owners of properties where the facilities are to be installed.
However, some youths at the session called for the inclusion of more community youth leaders in the project, while others suggested setting up a local task force comprising community youths to monitor alleged irregularities at the project sites.
