By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) said it is seeking more collaboration with Ogoni stakeholders for continuous progress and success of the region.
Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, made this known recently during a stakeholders engagement forum with Ogoni key stakeholders in Port Harcourt.
Prof. Zabbey stated this while
reeling out significant achievements recorded by the Project, attributing the success to the tremendous support of Ogoni stakeholders.
He mentioned that the Project has performed well in the following areas: 75% completion of restoration of 560 hectares of oil-degraded mangroves, with over 1 million mangroves planted, 20% completion rate recorded for shoreline remediation.
“Substantial advancement has been recorded in the land remediation-where there are interventions in soil and ground water and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER) hitting 70% completion.
“The Ogoni Specialist Hospital, Buan Cottage Hospital, and Ogoni Power Project are all progressing steadily”.
He noted that following remediation of land and shorelines, more areas are being freed up for farming, fishing and other productive uses.
He said the Project is in talks with the African Development Bank to establish an agro-processing hub in Ogoni.
Recognizing the importance of access to sustainable clean water in enhancing public health and well-being, Professor Zabbey reaffirmed the Project’s commitment to sustaining these interventions.
“Along side the other water schemes in the Phase 1 contracts, the Project is embarking on another 14 schemes that will cover over 68 Ogoni communities.”
