The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has announced significant progress in the environmental restoration of Ogoniland as it marks the 10th anniversary of the Ogoni cleanup programme.
Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, said HYPREP has completed remediation work on 30 of the 65 polluted sites identified by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), while work continues on several others. He added that more than 1.5 million mangrove seedlings have been planted as part of efforts to restore damaged ecosystems.
According to Zabbey, over 1,000 hectares of shoreline have been cleaned up, while 560 hectares have been restored with thriving mangroves. The project has also expanded access to clean water, healthcare facilities, and emergency medical services across Ogoni communities.
Beyond environmental remediation, HYPREP says it has created more than 7,000 jobs and trained thousands of youths and women in various vocational and technical skills. The agency also reported progress on major infrastructure projects, including the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration and the Ogoni Power Project.
Zabbey reaffirmed HYPREP’s commitment to completing all UNEP-recommended actions while strengthening partnerships aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainable development of Ogoniland.
