HYPREP’s Centre Of Excellence Construction Hits 80% Completion Rate

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) says the construction of its Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration(CEER) has reached 80 percent completion rate.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Neinibarini Zabbey, who dropped the hint during the presentation ceremony of the report of the Technical Planning Committee for the establishment of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration in Port Harcourt, said establishing the centre is one of the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) Report on Ogoniland.
He noted that the presentation of the committee report to the Project Coordination Office is timely because the construction of the centre has reached an impressive 80 percent completion rate.
He recalled that the Technical Planning Committee to develop a sustainable framework for operationalising the CEER was inaugurated on May 31,2024, saying, “we appreciate the dedication and expertise of the committee members, who have worked tirelessly to ensure a robust and comprehensive plan for the institution.”
Zabbey thanked the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal whose wisdom and guidance, he said have ensured that HYPREP remains on track, as well as all members of the committee for their commitment, expertise and hard work in developing the report, stressing that the committee members’ collective effort has been instrumental in shaping the vision for the Centre of Excellence, ensuring that it meets global standards for environmental research, capacity building and remediation practices.
He noted that the diverse knowledge and skills each of the members had brought to the assignment had significantly contributed to the quality of the recommendations contained in the report.
According to him, the report includes the administrative structure, the framework programmes and activities at the centre, staffing and recruitment strategy, research, Internationalisation and sustainability strategy and the advisory document on the legal framework for the establishment of the centre.
The Project Coordinator explained that establishing the centre is a monumental step forward in the remediation of hydrocarbon pollution in Ogoniland and beyond, adding that the centre would serve as a hub for innovative research, skill development and environmental management, providing sustainable pollution prevention and ecosystem restoration solutions.
“For Ogoniland, this means a cleaner environment, improved public health, and opportunities for economic empowerment through skills training and employment.Nationally, the centre will position Nigeria as a leader in environmental remediation and restoration, fostering innovation and best practices in pollution management primarily through the Integrated Contaminated Soil Management Centre housed in CEER,” he said.
He disclosed that HYPREP will expand the centre’s original remediation-related laboratories to include biotechnology, in line with the Federal Government’s directive of the project contributing to national food security, saying a biotechnology laboratory at the centre would enhance phyto remediation studies and crop improvement research, to contribute to national food security and sovereignty.
He said the report of the technical committee would be forwarded to the Governing Council of HYPREP for the review and consideration of the recommendations, and expressed optimism that the council would appreciate the depth of work done and importance of expediting the next steps towards immediate operationalisation of the centre.
The Chairman of the committee, Prof Roseline Konya, said while speaking with newsmen that the centre of excellence is going to have a great impact in the lives of the people of Ogoniland, and expressed delight that it has come to reality.
According to her, the first day the committee members visited the project site, in the course of their work, they were impressed with what was on ground.
“That visit had increased my years because when you have something, you have a plan, you see it on ground, it is no longer on paper, it is very exciting,” she said.
She further noted that she is certain that the centre of excellence is going to make a great impact in Ogoniland because she had been there in the very beginning when the UNEP Report on Ogoniland was presented.
According to her, the CEER and other projects were in the report.
“You begin to imagine when this will materialise,” she intoned.

By: Donatus Ebi