Federal Government, Stakeholders Endorse Progress Of Ogoni Clean-up Projects

Key government regulatory agencies, development partners and asset owners have endorsed the progress of the Ogoni clean-up programme, citing improved delivery of remediation projects under the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).

The endorsement was expressed during the 2025 fourth-quarter Key Regulators and Asset Owners meeting recently held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where participants reviewed updates on ongoing projects linked to the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recommendations for the restoration of Ogoniland.

Speaking at the session, HYPREP Project Coordinator, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, represented by the Director of Technical Services, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi, commended regulators and asset owners for their continued collaboration and participation in field monitoring activities.

He reaffirmed HYPREP’s commitment to international best practices in waste management and environmental restoration.

Zabbey reiterated that the project remains focused on UNEP’s core recommendations, including soil and shoreline remediation, mangrove rehabilitation, potable water provision, public health interventions and livelihood support for affected communities.

He added that several ongoing projects were nearing completion, with plans underway to commence additional interventions.

Agencies as well as regulators that spoke at the meeting included the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Federal Ministry of Environment, Rivers State Ministries of Environment, Health, Power, and Water Resources, among others.

They commended HYPREP for what they described as measurable improvements in environmental remediation, potable water supply, livelihood programmes and public health interventions across Ogoni communities.

Stakeholders particularly highlighted progress recorded in land and shoreline remediation works, mangrove restoration projects, construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, and the ongoing Ogoni Power Project.

They also acknowledged interventions such as ambulance donations to health facilities and sustainable livelihood initiatives aimed at improving socio-economic conditions in impacted communities.

The stakeholders, while acknowledging progress, urged the project managers to sustain quarterly review sessions to enhance transparency, strengthen collaboration and promptly address emerging challenges.

Professor Iyenemi Kakulu of Rivers State University, who spoke during the meeting, described the quality of work at remediation sites as encouraging, noting that recent field assessments indicated significant improvement in project execution and compliance with environmental standards.

The quarterly regulators and asset owners meeting formed part of HYPREP’s stakeholder engagement framework designed to strengthen accountability and ensure effective implementation of the Ogoni clean-up programme