HYPREP accelerates Ogoni clean-up, implements over 130 projects

The Project Coordination Office (PCO) of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) said it made significant strides in the Ogoni Clean-up efforts, implementing over 130 projects in 2024.

According to the Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, in his New Year message, the projects align with the Renewed Hope Agenda and include initiatives such as soil and groundwater remediation, shoreline clean-up and mangrove restoration.

He said the projects were aimed at restoring the environment and promoting sustainable development in Ogoniland. Zabbey recounted some of the notable projects, including the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), Ogoni Specialist Hospital, Buan Cottage Hospital, Ogoni Power Project, potable water schemes and various livelihood packages.

Noting that a significant number of the projects would be completed for public use this year, he added that the HYPREP would also commence a socio-economic study of Ogoniland this year, to produce a robust blueprint for the post-clean-up socio-economic development of Ogoni.

He emphasised that a three-year comprehensive public health (human bio-monitoring) study of Ogoni people would start by the second quarter of 2025, adding that the International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC), a unit of the World Health Organisation (WHO), would lead the research, in partnership with local institutions and researchers.

“These emerging projects will require robust community content and participation. Thus, we are confident that these new projects will create additional jobs and enhance the capacity of Ogoni youth and women through well-thought-out recruitment training and hands-on learning,” he said.

The coordinator also announced the release of the list of 300 successful candidates for the Ogoni postgraduate scholarship, comprising 100 doctorate and 200 Master’s students.

He said the initiative underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to investing in human capital development and creating alternative sources of livelihoods for impacted communities.