Ogoniland Cleanup: HYPREP Affirms Commitment To UNEP Report

Fourteen years after the release of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on environmental assessment of Ogoniland, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reaffirmed its commitment to the full implementation of the report’s recommendations.

In a statement, HYPREP’s Head of Communications, Enuolare Mba-Nwigoh, said the project has made appreciable gains in implementation, especially in thematic areas of livelihoods and environmental restoration.

Mba-Nwigoh emphasized that the project has recorded notable achievements in the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and the provision of potable water to communities, stressing that the construction of the CEER, is currently at 90%, while the Ogoni Specialist Hospital and Buan Cottage Hospital are at 86% and 98% complete, respectively.

“Today, through the thematic areas drawn from its two cardinal mandates of environmental remediation and livelihood restoration, HYPREP has recorded tremendous successes in soil and groundwater remediation, shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration; provision of potable water, public health interventions, construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), Construction of the Ogoni Power Project (OPP) and sustainable livelihoods,” Mba-Nwigoh said.

According to Mba-Nwigoh, 50 Simple Risk Sites have been remediated and certified by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), while others are at various stages of completion.

He added that the ongoing remediation of medium risk complex sites, involving remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater, is 38% complete, while Phase 1 shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration stands at 56% and 93% completed, respectively.

Accordong to him, the project has also provided benefits to Ogoni communities, including access to potable water, employment opportunities, and training for youths and women.

He said: “Over 7,000 direct jobs have been created, and more than 5,000 Ogoni youths and women have been trained in 20 skill sets. The project has also contributed to peacebuilding and security, and improved the Human Development Index (HDI), while aligning with almost all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

Mba-Nwigoh emphasized HYPREP’s commitment to sustaining the gains achieved so far and building collaborative partnerships to achieve a sustainable cleanup programme.

He also lauded the Federal Government’s commitment to the implementation of the project, expressing happiness that Ogonis are benefiting from the deliverables from the project.

He, however, called for continued support from governments, the diplomatic community, the Ogoni people, and other stakeholders to maintain the current momentum and ensure the success of the project.

He also urged communities to provide a congenial atmosphere for project activities, protect facilities, and desist from acts that would re-pollute the environment.

Ogoniland Cleanup: HYPREP Affirms Commitment To UNEP Report is first published on The Whistler Newspaper