Environmental Remediation
OpenLife News reports that the Federal Government says aquatic life and the ecosystem in most creeks across Ogoni, Rivers State, have largely recovered, 10 years after the launch of the Ogoni cleanup project.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, made this known in Bodo City, Gokana LGA, during the 10th anniversary of the cleanup and the unveiling of Phase 2 of the shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration programme.
He described the remediation of Ogoniland as a national priority under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, noting that the President had directed HYPREP to accelerate completion of the project.
“Ten years ago in this very place, the flag-off of the Ogoni cleanup took place. Today, we return to affirm that commitment. The monument stands as a permanent reminder of a promise made and a promise kept,” Lawal said during the unveiling of the Ogoni Cleanup Monument.
Signs Of Recovery
The Minister said one of the clearest signs of progress is the return of marine life to Ogoni waterways.
“One of the most important developments is the evidence of ecosystem recovery. The fish, periwinkles, crabs and shrimps are back.
This is vital for the local economy and community livelihoods,” he stated.
He listed other achievements under the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, to include:
–The Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration
-A specialist hospital and cottage hospital
-The Ogoni Power Project
-Progress in soil and groundwater remediation, potable water supply, and public health interventions
Phase 2 Begins
Lawal announced that remediation of simple and medium-impact sites has been completed, paving the way for work on complex sites and the second phase of shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration.
HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibari Zabbey, said the Ogoni cleanup remains the world’s largest oil remediation project, while the mangrove restoration is the largest of its kind globally for oil-degraded areas.
He disclosed that 1,420 community workers were presented with IMO and Swim Test certificates as part of Phase 2, bringing total direct jobs created for Ogoni youths and women to over 8,500.
Zabbey, however, urged communities to protect the gains by avoiding overharvesting of aquatic life and indiscriminate cutting of mangroves.
“The returning ecosystem must be protected through controlled harvesting to sustain what we have achieved,” he warned.
He acknowledged challenges including community disputes, access issues and misinformation, but said stakeholder cooperation had helped the project record significant milestones.
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