International Environmental Group Seeks Partnership With HYPREP Over Niger Delta Cleanup – Independent Newspaper Nigeria

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CHIDI UGWU

An international coalition of environmental rights advocates and energy transition experts has expressed interest in partnering with the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) following an inspection of ongoing remediation projects in Ogoniland.

The group, operating under the International Working Group on Petroleum Pollution and Just Energy Transition, made the disclosure after touring several HYPREP project sites across Ogoni communities in Rivers State.

Speaking during a debriefing session at HYPREP’s headquarters in Port Harcourt on Friday, the leader of the delegation, Dr. Isaac Osuoka, said the team was impressed by the scale of work undertaken by the agency in implementing the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoni pollution.

Osuoka commended HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, and his team for the progress recorded in key intervention areas, including mangrove restoration, potable water projects, land remediation, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, and the Ogoni Specialist Hospital.

According to him, the achievements recorded in Ogoniland should be sustained and expanded to other environmentally degraded communities across the Niger Delta.

“We are really impressed with what we have seen on ground and believe there are strong possibilities for collaboration,” Osuoka stated.

He described the Ogoni remediation effort as significant but noted that several oil-impacted communities across the wider Niger Delta remain heavily polluted and require urgent intervention.

Responding, Prof. Zabbey said HYPREP was established not only for Ogoni cleanup but also to develop a remediation framework that could be replicated in other polluted regions.

He disclosed that the agency has completed potable water projects in 49 communities, while several ongoing projects are currently between 90 and 96 per cent completion.

Zabbey also highlighted HYPREP’s community-driven approach to environmental restoration and livelihood support, revealing that more than 7,000 community workers have been engaged under the programme, while about 3,000 persons have received International Maritime Organization-certified training.

On mangrove restoration, the project coordinator said HYPREP has adopted research-based and environmentally sustainable methods, including the introduction of “Growcoon” technology for mangrove nurseries instead of plastic materials.

He added that the agency is collaborating with universities on research into the possible use of Nypa palm materials for producing eco-friendly restoration tools.

Zabbey further noted that the Ogoni wetlands have now been recognised internationally as a Ramsar Site under the Convention on Wetlands, describing it as a major milestone in global environmental conservation efforts.

The visiting delegation included academics and environmental experts from institutions across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, alongside civil society leaders and human rights advocates.

During the tour, the group visited HYPREP’s potable water facility in Kporghor, Tai Local Government Area; mangrove restoration sites in Bomu, Gokana LGA; the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration and Ogoni Power Project in Wiiyaakara, Khana LGA; the Ogoni Specialist Hospital in Kpite; and land and groundwater remediation sites in Eleme.

The delegation called on the Federal Government, international oil companies, and other extractive industry operators to expand remediation efforts beyond Ogoniland to cover polluted communities across the Niger Delta.