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HYPREP Invites Foreign Experts For Complex Sites Remediation
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has invited some foreign experts and companies to handle the remediation of high risk complex oil impacted sites in some parts of Ogoniland in Rivers State.
This indication came to the fore last Tuesday, when the Chairman of Haemers Technologies, a company based in Europe, Mr Jan Haemers, visited one of the complex sites in Alode Eleme Community, to take stock of the extent of work to be done and the level of contamination of the site.
Haemers and his team were taken to the polluted site by the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, and other officials of the project.
Speaking to newsmen at the site, Haemers said the HYPREP’s Project Coordinator had specifically invited him, adding that he had come to Nigeria to develop partnerships with HYPREP and to bring remediation technologies to this area, in particular, to clean up soil and groundwater contaminated sites, in full respect of the local communities.
He noted that in the course of the work, he would also bring some other aspects of the job to the table, adding that the job would essentially take some time.
He further indicated that the work would be done in such a way that the whole time would not be wasted, as standards would be deployed to show results on regular basis, stressing that his company would ensure that most of the work on site would be done by the local people in the Ogoni communities.
Describing pollution issues as a legacy problem, Haemers said some small part of his company’s vast technologies would also be deployed to the area, to actually develop the skills of the people, in such a way that they would be directly involved in the remediation work.
He hinted that technologies that have been deployed by his company, in other parts of the world, including Africa and remote parts of North and South America, that had faced similar challenges of contamination, would be brought to bear in Ogoniland in carrying out the remediation work.
According to him, the clean-up is expected to be done in such a way that it benefits the local people and would be done by them so that they can also develop their skills and be the driving force behind the whole remediation efforts.
Haemers, who hails from Belgium said he was actually at the Alode Eleme contaminated site to know the realistic time of commencing the project, adding that assessing the level of contamination of the site and equally carrying out the characterisation of the site are very important and necessary.
He said though he could not place his fingers on the actual time the work would commence, he expressed optimism that it would start as soon as possible.
“We have come here to bring up the concrete steps involved.How long this job will take, I do not know. Part of the job is also to assess. Thecharacterisation should not stop the remediation of what is already known”, he said.
On his part, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey said the remediation process in the Ogoni clean-up is structured into phases, namely; simple sites, medium range sites and high risk complex sites.
According to him, HYPREP is currently remediating the medium range sites and is getting ready to move into the complex sites.
He indicated that both soil and groundwater are contaminated in the complex sites, which are located in residential areas.
In places like that, Zabbey said, there is absolute need for less disturbance, saying, “HYPREP is determined to deploy the best innovative technology that can be found globally”.
The Project Coordinator hinted that the visit of Haemers and his team is a culmination of the visit of the Minister of Environment, with his delegation to Europe in February, to search for companies to handle the complex sites.
He noted that a couple of companies had been identified to carry out the remediation of the complex sites, adding, “We are asking them to come and do comprehensive assessment of the complex sites, to determine the extent of contamination”.
He said after the assessment, the companies would come up with the proper technology to use at the sites.
The Project Coordinator said HYPREP had delayed the remediation of the complex sites until this year because it wanted to carry out proper investigation of the sites, stressing that site investigation involves proper scoping of the sites.
Zabbey assured Ogoni people that their capacities would be built to ensure that they are directly involved in the remediation of the complex sites.
“ We have been reminding and assuring our local people that our eyes are on the ball to give them the best of what is available globally”, he said.
By: Donatus Ebi
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi