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‘HYPREP, Committed To Sustainable Ecosystem, Peace, Dev In Ogoniland’
The Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof Nenibarini Zabbey has maintained that the project, through the plethora of projects and programmes it is undertaking, is committed to the sustainable ecosystem, peace and development of Ogoniland.
Zabbey stated this when he presented a status update brief to the Ogoni community and other diaspora stakeholders in the United States of America at the November 10th Anniversary organised by MOSOP USA Chapter, as part of HYPREP’s strategic stakeholder engagement and inclusivity.
“It is our desire to see sustainable ecosystem, peace and development in Ogoniland. Since 2017, the Federal Government of Nigeria through HYPREP has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure that the people of Ogoniland live in a clean and economically viable environment. We believe that a clean environment is the gateway to the realisation of other goals and this platform – the 2023 commemoration – offers innovative and new workable model for stakeholder engagement and co-operation for the achievement of these set goals,’’ he said.
On livelihood, he mentioned the provision of sustainable livelihoods vis-à-vis training of 5,000 Ogoni women and youths in 20 different skill sets, training of 100 youths in mega skill areas of aviation, mechatronics, seafaring and creative arts. The first sets of 30 youths in the aviation training have been certified. Also, the project has carried out a survey of small and medium scale businesses in Ogoniland. In August 2023, HYPREP as part of its sustainable livelihood programme provided business interventions funds to 60 Ogoni small business owners.
Similarly, the commissioning of the Barako water station, one of the six water projects in the Phase 1 scheme is a demonstration of the Project’s commitment to provide potable water that meets World Health Organisation’s (WHO) standards. This is in addition to the earlier commissioned Alesa Water Station that is supplying water to the community and its environs.
He said the four other water stations in Bori, Kpean, Korokoro and Ebubu are nearing completion and ready for commissioning.
The Project Coordinator noted that another 14 water schemes that would supply water to 52 Ogoni communities are ongoing.
“It goes without saying that the construction of the fourteen water schemes will create job opportunities for the youths in these communities and thus reduce the burden of unemployment. During the construction works, plumbing and other relevant skills would be passed on to the locals who stand the chance of learning lifelong economic skills for their economic empowerment’’, he explained.
On the progress made in remediation, the Project Coordinator said, “The Ogoni clean-up project has progressed consistently from the first contracts of 21 lots in Phase 1 Batch 1 to 29 lots in Phase 1 Batch 2. We have closed out 36 lots, while 14 lots are at different stages of completion. We have also awarded contracts for tier 2 assessment for other sites that gave us concerns which we allotted into seven lots. In the Phase 2 remediation, the scope of work includes the preliminary works, site reassessment and characterisation by the contractors. The main contract has two stages: the contractors will do distinct site characterisation and remediation of both soil and groundwater. Which will culminate in the planting of mangroves being the natural flora in this area while taking into consideration their natural patterns”.
He further indicated that the planting of mangroves which is a key component of the shoreline remediation works will furnish locals with mangrove nursing skills and the economic benefits that come with it. According to him, the Ogoni people are already being trained in the nursing of mangroves. We plan to restore three thousand (3,000) hectares of oil-degraded mangrove in Ogoniland. This will involve the planting of about 10 million mangrove seedlings, which will be the world’s largest restoration of oil-degraded mangroves. Much of the mangrove planting will be done following shoreline cleanup delineated into 34 lots. The pilot planting on approximately 600 ha of shores in Bomu community has been awarded to nine contractors. The areas earmarked for immediate mangrove revegetation have been identified through site characterisation using the Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique (SCAT)’’.
He said all of these are running alongside the special projects, namely: the Ogoni Power Project, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER) and the 100 Bed Specialist Hospital. He expressed optimism that these projects will gradually turn Ogoniland into a construction site with the resultant effect on the local economy and income of households.
Zabbey noted that these legacy projects will have far reaching benefits and address core concerns on health, sustainable livelihood, human capital development and environmental restoration.
He stated that the Project has maintained effective supervision, monitoring and evaluation to ensure value for money.
The Project Coordinator, however, expressed worries on the challenges bedevilling the smooth implementation of the projects and called for more stakeholders’ collaboration in addressing the issues.
He disclosed that HYPREP is institutionalising the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in resolving community issues and will continue to engage communities through sensitisation programmes, town hall meetings and interactive sessions.
He equally noted that HYPREP’s mission statement is simple: that all Ogoni people regardless of their status, creed or location should be a part of the clean-up process and benefit accordingly.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described the ongoing construction of the brand new 13.52-kilometre Ngo-Atlantic-Oyorokoto Road as a bold and visionary effort by his administration to open up the coastal region for economic growth and harness the full potential of the state’s blue economy.
The Governor made this remark during an inspection visit to the project site in Andoni Local Government Area. The road, being constructed by Monier Construction Company (MCC), cuts through challenging coastal terrain and leads to a newly identified beachfront facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Governor Fubara explained that while the original plan was to construct a road leading to Oyorokoto Town and its popular beach, his administration decided to expand the project to create an entirely new route that would open access to another pristine beachfront.
“We are doing another inspection today. This particular one is a virgin road, 13.52 kilometres of a new pathway to the blue economy,” Governor Fubara stated.
“Initially, we were constructing a road to Oyorokoto Beach, one of the finest tourist centres in this area. But as we progressed, we discovered another beach directly facing the Atlantic Ocean. It became clear that we shouldn’t limit development to just one site. We want to harness this new beach front as part of our broader plan to develop the blue economy.”
The Governor emphasised that the project, once completed, will not only improve access to coastal communities but also stimulate tourism and economic activities, boosting revenue for Rivers State.
Describing the area’s difficult terrain as challenging, he commended the contractor for its dedication, and expressed confidence that the road would be completed and commissioned by March next year.
“You can see for yourself, it’s a brand-new road in a very difficult terrain, just like the one we saw yesterday. But I strongly believe we will overcome it. From what we’ve seen today, the contractor, MCC, is doing their best, and by next year, hopefully by March, we’ll have the cause to commission this project and give God all the glory,” the Governor affirmed.
Governor Fubara also visited Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area to assess the progress of work on the Epellema axis of the ongoing 5.2km Kalaibiama-Epellema road project featuring a 450-meter bridge.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed satisfaction with the level of progress recorded on the ongoing Trans-Kalabari Road project, revealing that about 75 percent of the critical piling work has been completed.
Governor Fubara made this known while addressing journalists after an on-the-spot inspection of the 12.5-kilometre road project, which will connect the state capital to several Kalabari communities across the sea.
The Governor rode on a boat from a jetty at Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area through the rivers and creeks on the project route during the inspection.
The project was awarded to Lubrik Construction Company Limited, on May 15, 2024, with an initial 32-month completion timeline.
The Governor said the visit was aimed at verifying reports from the Ministry of Works regarding the project’s advancement. He commended the contractors for their dedication, and described the progress as “a true reflection of hard work and commitment to excellence.”
“The first phase of the project takes us to Bakana, and features four major river-crossing bridges and nearly five deck-on-pile structures. The terrain is difficult, and the engineering work required is complex. But to the glory of God, I can confirm that the reports I’ve been receiving are accurate. Almost 75% of the piling job, which is the most critical part of the project, has been achieved,” Governor Fubara said.
He emphasised that the Trans-Kalabari Road is one of the most technically demanding infrastructure projects in the state due to its challenging marine terrain but reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to deliver it on schedule.
Governor Fubara highlighted the strategic importance of the road in connecting the Kalabari Kingdom to Port Harcourt, and stimulating economic growth across riverine communities.
“This is a key project that will turn around the lives of the Kalabari people immediately it is concluded. By the grace of God, in the next six months, if we return here for inspection, we might be driving across the bridge,” he said.
Governor Fubara assured Rivers people that his administration remains focused on delivering transformative infrastructure projects that will improve lives and bring lasting development to rural communities.
“We have made a promise to our people to embark on projects that will change lives and bring development, and this is a testament to that commitment,” he added.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says that the impact of flooding and erosion on the inhabitants of Rivers State, especially those living in coastal communities, are of great concerns to the government.
Governor Fubara lamented the consequences of flood on both human and biotic life, which sometimes lead to loss of life, property, and degradation of the environment.
The Governor made the remark in Port Harcourt during the launch of a book titled, ‘Coastal Zone Flooding And Erosion in Developing Communities, Principles, Cases and Strategies,” written by Emeritus Prof. Wiston Bell-Gam.
According to the Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, his administration, would continue to undertake and encourage adaptation strategies to combat flooding.
In his words: “The Rivers State Government will continue to undertake and encourage adaptation strategies, such as construction of seawalls and breakers, canals and channels, restoring coastal ecology and ecosystem for coastal resilience and where necessary, the relocation of communities on the coastline.
“These issues are currently receiving the much needed attention and intervention by the recent approval of the construction of shoreline protection along the coastlines of more than five communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Opobo/Nkoro LGAs respectively.”
“It is important that as stakeholders in the protection and preservation of marine environment, we all act and advocate for mitigation strategies such as reduction in emission of Green House Gasses that causes climate change and rise in sea levels. Let us promote the use of clean energy and against fossil fuel.
Governor Fubara further cautioned residents to desist from building on waterways.
“We also need to encourage our people to stop developing buildings on and along natural water courses, indiscriminate sea mining and dredging activities on our coastline without consideration for mangroves and swamps,” he stressed.
He appreciated the author for his advanced contributions to the body of knowledge in both Rivers State and globally.
Also speaking, a former Military Governor of the old Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Ditte-Spiff, who was Royal Father at the Event, stated that the book was timely to enable stakeholders manage the challenges of global warming.
“Global warming is real. If it’s not addressed globally, a time will come coastal areas will find themselves under water. The coastline of Nigeria is shocking with many mangroves gone,” he noted.
The Reviewer of the Book, who is also the Vice Chancellor of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Ondo State, Prof Temi Ologunorisa, explained that the 14-chapter book is timeous as it fills literary gaps between desire and available knowledge on coastal flood and erosion in developing communities.,
“A major beauty of the book that sets it apart is the detailed consideration of flood and erosion control from around the world,” he stated, adding that the book is based on detailed field investigation.