The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has announced progress in its environmental restoration efforts in Ogoniland, Rivers State.
The Project’s 2025 mid-term scorecard revealed that 93 per cent of mangrove restoration has been completed, while shoreline remediation stands at 53 per cent completion, noting that other key remediation activities have also advanced significantly.
Presenting his Scorecard at the 2023-2025 midterm Ogoni stakeholders engagement held over the weekend, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, said the construction of a 43-bed Cottage Hospital in Buan is 93 per cent complete, and the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, a 100-bed facility, has reached 76 per cent completion.
He noted that soil and groundwater cleanup at medium-risk sites has made substantial headway.
Zabbey disclosed that HYPREP’s community-led restoration of 560 hectares of oil-degraded mangroves is nearing completion, marking a major milestone in rehabilitating ecosystems damaged by decades of oil pollution. Shoreline cleanup efforts have similarly progressed, with over half of the targeted areas remediated.
He, however, acknowledged challenges such as misinformation, chieftaincy disputes, land boundary conflicts, and litigation, but stressed that these issues are being addressed through dialogue and inclusivity.
He said, “Currently, HYPREP is advancing the remediation of 39 lots across 17 medium-risk, complex sites covering 125.39 hectares of hydrocarbon-impacted land. This involves remediating contaminated soil and groundwater outside residential areas. HYPREP has launched the world’s largest initiative to restore mangroves degraded by oil in Ogoniland. The pilot phase, covering 560 hectares, is 93 per cent complete.
“I am pleased to inform you that HYPREP has recorded commendable progress in the implementation of its core mandates in line with UNEP recommended actions and the directives in the official gazette establishing HYPREP.”
He added, “In the area of environmental remediation, more sites have been successfully remediated and certified, with several others currently at different stages of remediation. HYPREP has successfully achieved certification and officially closed out 50 remediated lots across 17 UNEP-assessed sites, under its Phase 1 Remediation of Simple Sites.
“The clean-up of 1,700 ha of oiled shoreline is 53% completed. Currently, HYPREP is advancing the remediation of 39 lots l across 17 medium-risk, complex sites covering 125.39 hectares of hydrocarbon-impacted land. This involves remediating contaminated soil and groundwater outside residential areas. HYPREP has launched the world’s largest initiative to restore mangroves degraded by oil in Ogoniland. The pilot phase, covering 560 hectares, is 93% complete.
“In addition to the certified closure of these 17 simple sites, HYPREP also secured NOSDRA certification and close-out for thirteen (13) Category N Sites. These were locations lacking sufficient data, which HYPREP reinvestigated and found that natural attenuation processes have reduced the contamination to acceptable levels. Such sites do not require further remedial actions.”
Meanwhile, Ogoni stakeholders have commended the HYPREP for its efforts in implementing the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland.
The stakeholders made this commendation at the 2023-2025 midterm stakeholders’ scorecard held in Port Harcourt, praising HYPREP’s progress in environmental remediation, livelihood programs, soil management, water provision, and power supply.
Leading the assessment, Hon. Dumnamene Dekor, member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, lauded the current management team of HYPREP led by Zabbey, saying they are doing their job with renewed vigour and passion.
Dekor urged stakeholders and youths to take ownership of the projects, emphasising that they are meant to serve the people.
He also frowned upon the vandalisation of HYPREP projects by some community members and advised beneficiaries of the agency’s empowerment programs to utilise them for their benefit.
Nigeria’s former ambassador to the Republic of the Netherlands, Oji Ngofa, commended the stakeholders’ engagement, stating it helps get stakeholders’ buy-in for the projects.
However, he called for a sustainability framework to ensure the gains achieved through the project are not eroded. Ngofa urged HYPREP to adopt the same model used in the Water Consumer Association (WCA) to get more community involvement.
Other stakeholders, including Prof. Barineme Fakae, former Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, and HRM Dr. Philip Obele, the Oneh-Eeh Eleme, commended HYPREP’s efforts and called for continued support.
Fakae praised the quality of work done by HYPREP, especially at the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), while Obele urged the management to bear in mind the sacrifices of slain Ogoni heroes who fought for the project’s implementation.
