By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) said all is now set for the robust stakeholders engagement on sustainable Ogoni cleanup programme .
The project said this is another strategic milestone step towards the operationalisation of the Centre of Excellence for Environment Restoration (CEER).
“This time, it is organising a colloquium for the Centre to discuss its sustainability and robust engagement with stakeholders”.
HYPREP Project Coordinator, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey made this known at the opening of the 3-days event, yesterday in Port Harcourt.
He said “This Followed the approval of all the recommendations of the Prof. Don Baridam’s led 14 man Technical Planning Committee for the CEER by the Hon Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, particularly the commencement of a directorate for the Centre”.
The PC noted that noted that the colloquium marks another critical milestone in HYPREP’s effort to implement the UN Environment Programme-recommended actions in Ogoni and in line with the directives contained in the gazette establishing the Project.
Prof. Zabbey insists that the decision of the Federal Government to make the Ogoni cleanup a national priority under the leadership of the Hon. Minister of Environment has brought renewed hope to the Project, accelerating implementation across all components of the cleanup from 2023 to date.
On the state of the Project, the PC reported thus:
” HYPREP is advancing firmly and faithfully in all thematic areas of intervention, including remediation of impacted sites, provision of potable water, public health, sustainable livelihood programmes, shoreline clean-up, mangrove restoration, and critical infrastructure development such as CEER and Ogoni Power Project. The CEER remains one of the flagship projects under the HYPREP mandate”
With the Centre, at 92% complete and will soon be commissioned, Prof. Zabbey maintained that HYPREP is focused on the timely of completion of all ongoing projects, including the Buan Cottage Hospital with is at 98%.
He explained that the Centre, when operational will be an international hub for innovative research and training in environmental remediation and restoration, vocational skill development, create jobs and develop local capacity of the Ogoni people and the Niger Delta
”It will host advanced laboratories, academic programmes, technical certification courses, and policy innovation platforms and position Nigeria as a leader in global environmental restoration, bridging science, policy and community development
”It will attract local and international scholars, industry experts and development partners to collaborate on solutions for oil pollution remediation and climate resilience” the PC explained.
Meanwhile, in their goodwill messages, the Vice Chancellors of the Rivers State University, Prof Issac Zeb-Opibi, Federal University of Environment and Technology, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmon, Mike Cowing, Post UNEP and Anneloes Hoff, Politcal Officer of the Dutch Embassy all commended HYPREP for organising the colloquium, promising to collaborate with the Project for its actualisation.
Prof Kirk Semple, Director of International Research, Lancaster University delivered the Keynote Address in which he provided feasible models for the operationalisation and the sustainability of the Project, advancing a robust synergy among the Project, funding/development partners and government.
The three days sessions facilitated by Prof B.B Fakae, Prof. Etela Ebisimi and Chris Newton, will see participants drawn from the academia, international partners, heads of agencies, Civil Society, industry experts, professionals and HYPREP staff engage in enriching technical sessions, covering sustainability and governance frameworks, partnership building, policy harmonization, community engagement strategies, research collaboration, knowledge transfer and eco-innovation pathways.
Professor Zabbey is optimistic that the outcome of the colloquium will shape the CEER’s strategic direction and strengthen its operational framework for long-term impact, and through collective efforts, engender a centre and a legacy of national pride.
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