We’re addressing climate change mitigation in Ogoniland  – HYPREP Project Coordinator

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The Project Coordinator Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Director, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey
said the project will address climate change mitigation in Ogoniland.

Zabbey stated this during an interview with journalists  at the 17th technical session meeting of the National Council on Environment(NCE), yesterday in Abuja.

Highlighting the effect of climate change, he said ”We have  a mangrove restoration project that is crucial in mitigating climate change.  The Mangrove is  an important tool in addressing climate change in south -south region.”

He said mangroves are  coastal trees that are extremely valuable in the fight against climate changes .

“The  carbon stored in mangrove ecosystems is estimated to be up to five times greater than that stored by other tropical forests.

“So far, mangrove restoration project is the largest mangrove restoration in oil degraded environment globally.

“We are carrying out mangrove restoration on 5,000.60 hectares human mangrove areas. We are planting mangroves to preserve, protect  our communities, and to sustain HYPREP efforts in restoring damaged land in Ogoniland”.

He explained that the project has enhanced capacity building for local people in the community referred to as government vanguard.
“ We fully involved the  communities in every aspect of our work.
“We usually provide them with captial fund in order for them to set nursery  for mangrove seedlings to supply to contractors”.

The project coordinator emphasized that this is to create sustainable livelihood for the community.

He also said HYPREP is constructing water project that will increase access to safe drinking water and to  improved sanitary condition and peace in ogoniland.

Meanwhile, he emphasized on
HYPREP’s role in implementing recommendations for environmental remediation in the Ogoni community.