Hydrocarbon Agency Executes 120 Projects In 12 Months

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has revealed that it has initiated over 120 projects with many of them completed for the Ogoni people.

The project coordinator of the HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, who made this declaration, during the organisation’s appearance at the public hearing session convened by the House of Representatives Adhoc Committee on the mismanagement of oil Spill clean-up funds in the Niger Delta, also assured the National Assembly that the Ogoni Cleanup Programme is in good hands, transparent and operates in line with best practices.

Addressing the Hon Okpolump Etteh-led committee, Zabbey maintained that funds for HYPREP have been judiciously used for the execution of the cleanup programme in line with the recommendations of the UN Environment Programme Report on Ogoni Environment.

“Over 120 Projects HYPREP is currently executing including others that have been completed like the Simple-risk land remediation sites and some Phase 1 water Projects. We are carrying out the Provision of potable water to 40 Ogoni Communities, Constructions of the 100-bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital and 40-Buan Cottage Hospital, Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), the Ogoni Power Project, Mangrove Restoration, land and shoreline remediation Projects, alternative livelihood programme, capacity development and peacebuilding”, he said.

While requesting the Committee to come to Igoni land for an on the spot assessment of the projects, the professor maintained that HYPREP’s operations are transparent and in full compliance with the Procurement Act 2007 and other extant regulations.

Earlier, Hon Emma Deeyah, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ogoni Trust Fund (OTF), noted that the Ogoni Cleanup has recorded significant milestones with the financial commitment of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited (RAEC) and the Joint Venture Partners, assuring that the Ogoni Trust Fund will be cooperating with the Committee on its investigation. He requested the National Assembly to push for the institutionalisation of HYPREP as an agency of government.

In his remarks. the chairman of the Committee Hon. Okpolump Etteh said, the committee seeks to investigate how the funds released to HYPREP and other agencies for the cleanup of the Niger Delta and other related matters have been used in line with best standards, transparency, accountability and in the overall interest of the people. The public hearing continues for other agencies.