As the global community celebrated the 2024 World Wetlands Day recently, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project ( HYPREP) has emphasised the need to protect wetlands in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta region and Ogoniland.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave this indication in a statement in Port Harcourt to mark this year’s World Wetlands Day, said the theme of the celebration, ‘Wetlands and Human Wellbeing’ resonates deeply with Nigeria, a nation blessed with abundant wetlands that play vital role in supporting biodiversity and the livelihoods of communities, adding that HYPREP takes the opportunity to highlight the critical importance of wetlands in Nigeria’s rich and diverse ecosystem, the Niger Delta.
According to him, the change in attitude towards the environment, sustainable use of the ecosystems and co-management of ecological infrastructure by communities are essential components of a sustainable wetlands restoration regime.
He, therefore, posited that all stakeholders must work together to implement sustainable practices that protect and restore these vital ecosystems for the benefit of the current and future generations, stressing that HYPREP is committed to raising awareness about the significance of wetlands and advocating for their protection.
While calling on the government at all levels, civil society organisations, businesses, communities and the public to join hands in preserving these critical ecosystems, Zabbey said, “Our collective efforts can contribute to achieving sustainable development goals, particularly those related to clean water and life on land and underwater, as well as climate action”.
The Project Coordinator further indicated that HYPREP encourages individuals and communities to engage in activities that promote wetland conservation, such as clean-up drives, educational programmes and tree-planting initiatives.
“Working together, we can ensure that wetlands continue to thrive for the benefit of the current and future generations. We therefore urge you to appreciate the beauty and importance of wetlands and please, to be stewards of these ecosystems,” he pleaded.
He said the theme of this year’s celebration recognises wetlands as critical to all facets of human wellbeing, including psychological, mental, social and spiritual, stressing that it underscores the intrinsic value of wetland ecosystems to sustainable development and human wellbeing.
“Wetlands, including mangroves, lagoons, creeks, ponds, rivers, associated seasonal water bodies, sustain life, foster biodiversity, and ensure the health and prosperity of our communities through their regulatory, provisioning, protecting, replenishing and sustaining functions,” he said.
Zabbey hinted that over 4,000 hectares of mangroves have been destroyed by decades of oil spills in Ogoniland alone, which he said has exacerbated poverty, as traditional livelihoods dependent on healthy mangroves are destroyed.
According to him, the degradation of these crucial ecosystems poses risks to biodiversity and compromises the wellbeing of communities that depend on wetlands for their survival.
He noted that a range of these ecosystems exists in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta region, where they contribute to the sustenance of various local cultures, offering valuable resources for fishing, agriculture, traditional and spiritual activities.
The Project Coordinator said mangroves typically serve as natural buffers against floods; store and purify water as well as provide food and habitat for various plant and animal species, adding that despite their invaluable contributions, wetlands face numerous threats, including urbanisation, reclamation for social projects, plastic and crude oil pollution, deforestation, dredging and the impact of climate change.
Zabbey disclosed that HYPREP has taken bold steps to restore hectares of shoreline and mangrove ecosystems in Ogoniland, which have been degraded, by undertaking a preliminary shoreline clean-up assessment of over 3,000 hectares of shoreline; conducting a chemical characterisation of oil levels in the sediment; delineating the 3,000 hectares of the assessed shoreline into 833 grids; and starting the process of remediating 1,747 hectares of the 3,000 hectares.
According to him, the Project has also piloted mangrove rehabilitation of 460 hectares while at the same time providing skill training to 5,000 Ogoni youths, including artisanal refiners, to create alternative livelihoods, as a means to prevent recontamination of remediated ecosystems.
He further hinted that 90 Ogoni youths and women have been trained in mangrove restoration and empowered with grants to set mangrove nurseries, while HYPREP has also created and funded Environment Clubs in secondary schools in Ogoniland, to sustain its education, awareness and sensitisation campaigns on the risks of wetland degradation.

Donatus Ebi