Ogoni Clean-Up: HYPREP Completes Complex Sites’ Characterisation, Delineation

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has completed the characterisation and delineation of complex and medium risk impacted sites across Ogoniland.
HYPREP’s Project Coordinator, Dr Ferdinand Giadom, who dropped this hint during a workshop in Port Harcourt on Thursday, said the characterisation and delineation were done to determine the specific characteristics of each site and extent of contamination and possible remediation actions to be taken.
According to him, the site characterisation is in line with HYPREP’s standard operating procedures on assessment.
Giadom said it was preceded by the Electric Resistivity Tomography (ERT) modality, adding that ERT is a near-surface geophysical tool for ground features and map the soil structure.
He further noted that prior to the characterisation of medium risk sites, a pilot trial was carried out at Korokoro Well 3 in Tai Local Government Area to show the effectiveness and efficiency using ERT, hand auguring and groundwater monitoring boreholes to determine the extent of contamination and the specific characteristics of the site.
“ The study showed that the site is heavily contaminated with hydrocarbon pollution in both soil and ground water samples taken from the constructed groundwater monitoring boreholes and hand augured holes,” he said.
Giadom further revealed that from the survey carried out by HYPREP on impacted sites in 2022, in which 15 medium risk sites were selected for characterisation and delineation, three out of the 15 sites have been completed and are discovered to have varying degrees of contamination both in soil and groundwater samples taken.
While further disclosing that HYPREP has commenced the implementation of the UNEP recommendations as it relates to mangrove restoration, Giadom said 50 Lots from 21 sites had been given out in the phase 1, batches 1 and 2 remediation works.
According to him, 21 lots from 12 sites were given out in the phase 1, batch 1 remediation contract while 29 Lots out of the nine sites were given out in the phase 1, batch 2 remediation contract.
At present, he said remediation works have been completed and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) close-out processes have been successful for 16 Lots out of the 50 Lots, stressing that all other Lots are at different stages of remediation works and close-out processes.
On the restoration of the mangrove in Ogoniland, Giadom said HYPREP had in its 2021 work plan proposed to carry out Pre-SCAT activities in affected Ogoni coastal communities in Gokana, Khana, Tai and Eleme Local Government Areas.
According to him, the SCAT Team has commenced field activities at B-Dere and K-Dere both in Gokana and assessed a total of 351 grids covering an area of about 1,416 hectares.
He said the assessed grids are along shoreline channels, mud flats and degraded mangrove platforms, contending that the workshop is intended to give HYPREP more impetus in delivering on the mandate of remediating the Ogoni environment.
On his part, the representative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Mr. Michael Cowing commended the current leadership of HYPREP under the watch of Dr Ferdinand Giadom for adopting international best practices in the implementation of the UNEP recommendations.
Cowing, who spoke virtually, took a swipe at previous administrations of HYPREP for not adhering to the principles of transparency and accountability in the implementation of the UNEP recommendations, and advised the present leadership to learn some lessons from their short comings for future progress and development of Ogoniland.
The Director General of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Mr. Idris Musa commended HYPREP for the bold initiative in its efforts to sensitise contractors and stakeholders to raise awareness on the remediation project, stressing that the Federal Government is committed to the clean-up project.
Musa said the bioremediation method which HYPREP adopted in the remediation of the less complex impacted sites in Ogoniland would continue to be relevant, “ yesterday, today and tomorrow”, assuring that NOSDRA would continue to monitor, regulate and evaluate the progress of remediation works in Ogoniland.
The workshop on Detailed Charaterisation, Remediation Strategies and Framework Development, also featured some resource persons. HYPREP’s Director of Technical Services, Prof Philip Shekwolo presented an overview on the remediation activities in Ogoniland while an international scholar, Prof Chidi Ibe presented a paper on Remediation Strategies.
The Project Director of Bodo Mediation Initiative (BMI), Mr. Erich Gundlach spoke on Shoreline Remediation; Prof. Gideon Abu of the University of Port Harcourt on Bioremediation; and Dr Bonte Mattijs on Site Specific Target Levels in Inter-Tidal Estuaries.
The representative of the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, Pastor Emmanuel Fienimika who is the Director in charge of the Inspectorate and Enforcement Department, commended HYPREP for the workshop, describing the HYPREP Project Coordinator as a man of action.
While expressing delight that HYPREP invited highly seasoned professionals in bioremediation techniques to serve as resource persons, Fienemika said he foresaw the generation of an enhanced operational model that would fast track the process and emphasise transparency, which are key public concerns on the remediation project.

By: Donatus Ebi