INT’L environmental group seeks HYPREP partnership on NigerDelta cleanup, hails impressive progress

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Members of the International Working Group on Petroleum Pollution and Just Energy Transition have expressed interest in collaborating with the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) on the clean-up of other polluted parts of the Niger Delta, following what they described as impressive progress recorded in Ogoniland.

The group made the remarks during a debriefing session at the HYPREP headquarters in Port Harcourt on at the weekend after touring several HYPREP project sites in Ogoni.

Leader of the delegation, Dr. Isaac Osuoka, said the team was highly impressed with the level of work executed across the various facilities visited, commending the Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, and the entire HYPREP team for their commitment to implementing the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoni.

Dr. Osuoka highlighted key achievements recorded by the Project, including the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, mangrove restoration initiatives, potable water projects, and land remediation programmes.

According to him, the interventions represent strategic milestones that should not only be sustained but also replicated across other environmentally impacted communities in the Niger Delta.

“We are truly impressed with what we have seen on the ground and believe there are strong possibilities for collaboration, considering the remarkable progress achieved so far,” Osuoka stated.

Responding, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, expressed appreciation for the group’s visit and interest in the Project, noting that HYPREP remains committed to fully implementing all recommendations contained in the UNEP Report.

He explained that the Project has recorded significant progress across its various thematic areas, adding that while potable water projects have already been completed in 49 communities, most ongoing projects are currently between 90 and 96 per cent completed, with others advancing steadily.

Prof. Zabbey stressed that HYPREP’s mandate extends beyond Ogoniland, describing the current interventions as a template for environmental remediation efforts in other impacted areas within and outside the Niger Delta region.

Speaking on mangrove restoration, he said the initiative is community-driven and scientifically guided, revealing that HYPREP has developed a user-friendly mangrove restoration manual with global relevance.

“HYPREP is not merely planting mangroves; we are restoring mangrove ecosystems after conducting proper baseline assessments,” he explained.

The Project Coordinator further disclosed that HYPREP is integrating remediation with cutting-edge research through the introduction of Growcoon technology for mangrove nurseries and planting, replacing the use of plastic materials.

He added that discussions are ongoing with several universities on research into the use of Nypa palm for the local production of Growcoon materials.

On sustainable livelihoods, Prof. Zabbey said HYPREP’s programmes are community-centred and have created employment opportunities for more than 7,000 community workers.

According to him, about 3,000 beneficiaries have received International Maritime Organization (IMO) training and certification, while others have graduated in various high-demand vocational skills.

He also informed the delegation that Ogoni wetlands have now been recognised and certified as a Ramsar Site of International Importance under the Convention on Wetlands.

Prof. Zabbey urged members of the international group to maintain close engagement with HYPREP and subscribe to the Project’s newsletter for regular updates on its activities.

Members of the delegation included Prof. Michael Watts of the University of California; Dr. Abisoye Oyeyemi of Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State; Prof. Engobo Emeseh of Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom; Prof. Anna Zalik of York University, Canada; Dr. Emem Okon, Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre; Kathryn Nwajiaku-Dahou of ODI Global; Caitlin Stronge of ODI Global; and AkpoBari Celestine of the Peoples Advancement Centre.

Also present on the HYPREP side were the Director of Technical Services, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi; the Head of Environmental Remediation, Raphael Friday Saue; and other senior officials of the Project.

Earlier during the week, the International Working Group on Petroleum Pollution and Just Energy Transition visited several HYPREP facilities and remediation sites across Ogoni as part of efforts to advocate the full implementation of the Ogoni clean-up exercise and the possible extension of the remediation programme to other polluted areas of the Niger Delta.

The visit came amid growing international attention on HYPREP’s environmental restoration efforts and sustainable livelihood programmes in Ogoniland.

The delegation had earlier engaged with HYPREP officials on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, before embarking on an extensive tour of project sites coordinated by officials of the Project, led by the Head of Environmental Remediation, Raphael Friday Saue, on behalf of the Project Coordinator.

Other participants during the tour included human rights advocates Kathryn Nwajiaku-Dahou, Prof. Anna Zalik, Dr. Asume Isaac Osuoka, Comrade Morris Alagoa, Celestine Akpobari, Botti Isaac, and representatives of various civil society organisations from across the Niger Delta.

While commending HYPREP for making visible impacts in Ogoniland, the group described the intervention as “a drop in the ocean” when compared to the scale of environmental degradation across the wider Niger Delta region.

They therefore called on the Federal Government, international oil companies, and other extractive industry operators to support the extension of environmental remediation efforts to all affected communities across the region.

Project sites visited during the tour included the reticulated potable water facility in Kporghor, Tai Local Government Area; the mangrove restoration site in Bomu, Gokana Local Government Area; the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration and Ogoni Power Project in Wiiyaakara, Khana Local Government Area; the Ogoni Specialist Hospital in Kpite, Tai Local Government Area; and the land and groundwater remediation site in Eleme Local Government Area.