Ogoni CleanUp: HYPREP Implements Over 130 Projects In 2024, Says PCO
2 years ago 2 min read
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As a way of underscoring its achievements of the previous year, the Project Coordination Office (PCO) of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) said it has made significant strides in the Ogoni Cleanup efforts, implementing over 130 projects in 2024.
According to the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, in his New Year felicitation, 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 are aimed at restoring the environment and promoting sustainable development in Ogoniland.
He recounted that some of the notable projects include 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.
Prof. Zabbey noted that a significant number of these projects will be completed for public use in 2025.
He added that the Project will also commence a socio-economic study of Ogoniland this year, which will produce a robust blueprint for the post-cleanup socio-economic development of Ogoni.
He emphasized that a 3-year comprehensive public health (human bio-monitoring) study of the Ogoni people will 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), will lead the research in partnership with local institutions and researchers.
He said: “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.
The Project Coordinator also announced the release of the list of 300 successful candidates for the Ogoni postgraduate scholarship, comprising 100 PhD and 200 Master’s students.
He said the initiative underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to investing in human capital development and creating alternative sources of livelihoods for impacted communities.
