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.