The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has presented certificates and starter packs to 5,000 beneficiaries of its livelihood programme.
The presentation ceremony, which took place at the A+ Agency in Port Harcourt on Friday, attracted dignitaries from far and near, including the excited beneficiaries drawn from the four local government areas of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme.
The colourful event had a semblance of a carnival, as the visibly elated beneficiaries sang and danced to melodious tunes, to underscore the importance of the day and their appreciation of having been economically equipped and empowered in an uncommon manner by the Federal Government agency.
However, not all the 5,000 trainees received the starter packs, as another batch of beneficiaries are expected to get theirs in due course.
Speaking at the occasion, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Neinibarini Zabbey said the event “marks a significant milestone in our collective journey toward empowerment, economic growth and environmental restoration”, stressing that restoring the livelihoods of hydrocarbon-impacted communities and related programmes is integral to the HYPREP mandate.
He noted that HYPREP has created thousands of direct and indirect jobs through its sundry projects like land remediation, shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration, construction of water schemes, construction of the Buan Cottage Hospital, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, the Ogoni Power Project, and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration.
According to him, all these projects are structured to enhance the skill capacity of Ogoni youths and women.
The Project Coordinator said the 5,000 Ogoni youths were over the past months trained in 20 skill areas including argon welding and metal fabrication, offshore/onshore skill set, aviation, crane operation, solar panel and CCTV installation, web design and digital marketing, data analytics, catering, fashion design, poultry and fish farming, and industrial firefighting, among others.
He disclosed that the trainees were selected through a transparent lucky-dip process, ensuring they could actively decide on the skills they were most passionate about and willing to undertake.
Zabbey said the distribution of the starter packs to the beneficiaries is a testament to HYPREP’s commitment, and urged them to fully utilise the skills and kits to benefit their families and communities, stressing that the starter packs are not just tools but represent an opportunity to build sustainable livelihoods, uplift their communities and contribute positively to the national economy.
He noted that by embracing this opportunity, the beneficiaries can transform Ogoni into a hub of diverse economic activity, fostering development and collective prosperity, and charged them to see it as such and refrain from selling the items given to them.
“The success of HYPREP’s sustainable livelihood initiatives and the remediation project depends on your ownership and active participation in the project. Let us work together to ensure that the progress we have recorded today is sustained,” he pleaded.
Zabbey further indicated that HYPREP remains steadfast in its commitment to building community confidence and trust in the project, saying, “this event is a testimony to that commitment and we assure you that we will keep our word.”
He said beneficiaries who could not get their starter packs would be informed of the date and location for the collection of theirs, stressing that “at HYPREP, we believe that your success is our success, and we are determined to ensure that no one is left behind, including the undeserved populations.”
The Project Coordinator hinted that HYPREP would be rolling out another training stream in demand-driven skill areas like training in full-stack development, GIS and remote sensing, cyber security, rope access, commercial diving/ underwater welding, mud-logging, mechatronics and agric skill enhancement.
He announced that HYPREP is in the process of establishing the Ogoni Community Peace Award, which would be launched in 2025 as part of its peace building mandate.
This initiative, according to him, is aimed at recognising and rewarding Ogoni communities, community-based organisations and individuals demonstrating exemplary peace building and environmental stewardship across the four Ogoni local government areas.
Zabbey thanked the Minister of Environment and Chairman of the Governing Council of HYPREP, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal for approving the purchase and distribution of the starter packs to the beneficiaries.
He also expressed gratitude to all those contributing to the success of HYPREP including members of the Governing Council, the Board of Trustees of the Ogoni Trust Fund, the Shell Petroleum Development Company and the Joint Venture partners, community leaders, youth and women, the trainers, the civil society, security formations and the media.

By: Donatus Ebi