The House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities has commended the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) for its significant contributions to improving the livelihoods of residents in Ogoniland. The praise came during a two-day inspection of various project sites in the region, led by the committee’s chairman, Rt. Hon. Dumnamene Dekor.
The committee observed that HYPREP’s efforts are making a tangible difference in the community, particularly through its engagement of youths and women in nearly 130 projects. These initiatives have not only addressed environmental challenges but have also provided new economic opportunities for the Ogoni people.
Throughout the visit, HYPREP’s project coordinator, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, emphasised the importance of the committee’s oversight in bolstering the project’s mission.
He noted that HYPREP’s work could serve as a blueprint for similar environmental restoration efforts across the broader Niger Delta.
The committee’s tour included visits to several key sites, such as the barricaded remediation site in Ogale, Eleme; the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER); the Ogoni Specialist Hospital; the Buan Cottage Hospital; the Buan Water Scheme; and the shoreline remediation and mangrove restoration sites in Bomu, Gokana LGA. At the Bomu site, Committee members participated in the planting of mangrove seedlings, demonstrating their support for the environmental restoration work.
The visit concluded with an interactive session where local stakeholders expressed their support for Professor Zabbey’s leadership and his strategic approach to HYPREP’s mission.
The committee assured the community that it would continue to monitor the Project closely, ensuring that funding partners meet their financial obligations and that contractors fulfil their commitments to timely project execution.
Additionally, the committee announced that it has begun the process of drafting legislation to ensure the sustainability of HYPREP’s initiatives. This legislative effort is aimed at securing the long-term success of the Project and its ongoing benefits for the Ogoni people and the broader Niger Delta region.
