By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), has rolled out it achievements under renewed hope agenda of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal and Project Coordinator HYPREP Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, made this known during presentation of mid-term scorecard to ogoni people and ogoni stakeholders in Port Harcourt yesterday.
Speaking at the meeting, Prof Zabbey said the mid-term scorecard presentation offered an opportunity to present ‘tangible evidence of progress in the Ogoni Clean-up effort.
This strengthens accountability and deepen transparency.
He said this has enable HYPREP to interact directly with the communities and stakeholders who are the heartbeat of this project.
He highlighted significant progress HYPREP has made across its thematic areas.
Prof Zabbey, presented the following statistics on the project scorecard such as
Environmental Remediation:.
Certification and official close out of fifty (50) lots across 17 UNEP-assessed sites under Phase 1simple sites.
“NOSDRA certification and close-out for thirteen (13) Category N sites
Shoreline remediation is at 53% covering 1,700 ha”.
Others are : mangrove restoration is at 93%, following up the classification of the Ogoni mangrove wetland as a Ramsar Site,
Livelihood Programme:Skills Acquisition for 5000 Ogonis in 20 skill sets,Specialized Skills: Aviation, Seafaring, Creative Arts, Economic Empowerment Initiatives/Business Support Initiatives, Award of Scholarships/Research Support Grants( 200 Masters and 100 PhD) and 250 Undergraduates received research grants of 200k, Internship opportunities for 40 undergraduate students.
He further mentioned capacity Building Workshop: Career Enhancement and Employability Workshop, Proposal Writing Workshop, Business Development and Procurement Workshop.
“Over 7000 direct and indirect jobs created across more than 100 project sites in the 4 LGAs.
Commissioned the Ogoni Socio-Economic Survey,
Potable Water
in 30 Ogoni communities provided with potable water, several potable water facilities are ongoing and at varying stages of completion.
“Establishment of Water Consumers Association (WCA)for sustainability. Public Health Intervention
-Renovated relevant sections of the Bori, Nchia, Terabor General Hospitals and Kpite Primary Health Care Centre, equipping them with state of the art medical devices and solar power systems.
-Designed and Constructing a 43-bed Cottage Hospital in Buan Community at 93%
-Construction of a 100-bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital which is at 76%”, he stated.
He said the project has also Inaugurated a Technical Planning Committee for the Hospital for sustainability.
“Engaged the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) to conduct a comprehensive health study on Ogoni people.
-Designed and constructed the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), a key recommendation of UNEP is at 85% completion and expected to be inaugurated in the last quarter of this year
“ Robust engagement with Ogoni Ex-artisanal refiners to stem repollution” he said .
He noted that the project has gained international visibility, leveraging linkages and packages
-Cutting-edge researches for development and sustainability-ongoing research on artificial production and restocking of the West African Bloody Cockle, post remediation soil fertility enhancement study and the Groowcoon research to end the use of plastic bags in mangrove nursery
Promotion of transparency and accountability through open and inclusive communication, stakeholders engagement, establishment of extra-regulatory transparency and accountability mechanisms such as Milestone-Evaluation Committee and the Technical Coordination Committee.”, he emphasized.
Similarly, the PC attributed all the achievements to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Especially as it prioritizes the acceleration of the Ogoni Cleanup, fostering environmental justice and providing a template for nation building and sustainable development”.
He said that HYPREP is contributing meaningfully to this national objective as a symbol of hope and healing.
He said that the project is faced with challenges which include targeted misinformation, chieftaincy tussles, communal land boundary disputes, avoidable litigation.
The PC noted that they are being surmounted through inclusiveness, dialogue and mutual respect. He urged for the continuous support of the stakeholder for project delivery.
”The Ogoni Community holds the key to HYPREP’s success. Thus, ownership, cooperation, and vigilance by the people will ensure that these interventions are protected, maintained and maximized for generations to come” the PC stated.
Meanwhile, The Ogoni Mother’s Union, led by Chief Hon. Priscilla Vikue, in her good will message commended Prof.Zabbey for the achievement recorded in 2 years .
She also acknowledged the support of the Hon. Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal for his commitment to the Ogoni Cleanup, programme, calling for continuous support for HYPREP.
