HYPREP Warns Illegal Refining, Mangrove Destruction Could Reverse Ogoni Cleanup Gains

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has warned that illegal artisanal refining and indiscriminate destruction of mangroves could reverse the environmental recovery recorded in Ogoniland, calling for stronger community action to protect restored ecosystems.

The project said continued environmentally harmful activities could undermine the ongoing cleanup, stressing that the success of the restoration programme depends not only on removing existing pollution but also on preventing fresh contamination.

Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, raised the concern when he received a coalition of civil society organisations under the CORDAID Strategic Partnership, which visited project sites in Rivers State.

He urged the organisations to intensify grassroots advocacy against illegal refining, destructive exploitation of natural resources and unsustainable fishing practices, while promoting responsible mangrove harvesting and environmental conservation.

Zabbey said the reappearance of aquatic organisms, including different species of crabs, in previously polluted water bodies indicated improving ecological conditions, warning that such gains must not be jeopardised by activities that could introduce fresh environmental damage.

He called on civil society groups to support alternative livelihood opportunities that would discourage residents from depending on environmentally destructive activities.

According to him, ecotourism, carbon stock assessment and climate finance offer opportunities to generate economic benefits for local communities while encouraging environmental protection.

The HYPREP coordinator further stressed that the designation of Ogoni’s mangrove wetlands as a Ramsar Site of international importance had made their protection even more critical.

He said the project was adopting remediation methods that combine international technologies with approaches suited to the environmental and sociocultural realities of Ogoniland.

Zabbey added that the institutional frameworks and restoration models being developed could serve as reference points for addressing oil pollution in other parts of the Niger Delta and other affected communities across Nigeria.

Earlier, CORDAID Consultant, Tolese Olatinwo, said the coalition’s visit was an opportunity to assess the progress of the cleanup programme and strengthen advocacy efforts after about five years of engagement on environmental restoration, alternative livelihoods and community participation.

He said members were encouraged by developments at the K-Dere Water Facility, Ogoni Specialist Hospital and other project locations, adding that the coalition would review its previous advocacy scorecard and establish fresh targets for collaboration with HYPREP.

Also speaking, Executive Director of the Kabetkache Centre for Women Development, Dr Emem Okon, expressed satisfaction with women’s inclusion in the cleanup programme and the progress recorded in livelihood interventions.

Okon said her organisation would build on an earlier livelihood needs assessment conducted among women in Ogoniland to identify additional areas requiring intervention.

She disclosed that the coalition would also engage partners, including the Dutch Embassy, to present its findings and develop a renewed advocacy framework for sustaining the cleanup programme.

The delegation inspected the K-Dere Water Facility, Ogoni Specialist Hospital and the mangrove restoration site at Bomu, where members participated in a symbolic mangrove planting exercise.