The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reaffirmed its commitment to the environmental restoration of Ogoniland and its environs.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey to mark the 2026 World Environment Day themed “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For our Future.”
World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated annually on 5 June and encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment.
Prof. Zabbey stated that this year’s global campaign highlights the urgent signals the Earth is sending and calls for immediate, accelerated action to address climate change and environmental degradation.
HYPREP therefore reaffirmed its commitment to best practices and to the full implementation of the Ogoni cleanup, as recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It also pledged to advance its ambition for citizen-led sustainable climate action in the Niger Delta.
According to the Project Coordinator, this day holds profound significance for HYPREP as they continue their mandate to restore the integrity of Ogoniland’s socio-ecological landscape and revitalise communities affected by decades of hydrocarbon pollution.
“Our ongoing shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration, remediation of polluted soil and groundwater, provision of portable water, livelihood support initiatives, health interventions, and the Ogoni Power Project are direct responses to the call for environmental healing and sustainable development.
“As we scale up our mangrove restoration project and revive the world’s largest oil-degraded mangrove area, HYPREP is planting millions of native mangroves. Our restoration teams are systematically mitigating invasive nipa palms to allow native mangrove species and other biodiversity to thrive”, he said.
He further stated: “our mangrove restoration effort is restoring vital fish breeding and nursery grounds and expanding mangrove canopies, which has triggered the gradual return of fish, crabs, oysters, and periwinkles. The restored mangroves are sequestering large quantities of carbon, thereby helping mitigate global climate change. These carbon assets are being positioned to secure carbon credits, ensuring long-term funding for the communities to continue conserving the restored mangrove”.
The Project Coordinator also disclosed that thousands of Ogoni youth and women were directly employed as mangrove planters, nursery operators, and environmental shoreline monitors, known as Mangrove Vanguards, who were helping to protect restored zones from re-pollution and to eliminate the threat of artisanal refining, in addition to continued engagement with ex-artisanal refiners.
He also disclosed that the Project has secured collective community ownership, with local surveillance teams and traditional rulers actively co-managing the newly restored shorelines and facilities built in their respective communities to prevent vandalism.
Furthermore, he seized the opportunity of the day to reaffirm HYPREP’s commitment to accelerate remediation actions, working alongside our technical partners and local stakeholders to ensure the highest standards of environmental remediation across impacted communities.
“We would also continue to empower communities through robust investment in sustainable livelihood programmes, including agricultural support and vocational training, to ensure the economic resilience of the people.
“As we observe World Environment Day 2026, we call on all stakeholders, community leaders, the people of the Niger Delta, and the international community to partner with HYPREP to restore and safeguard our shared environment.
“HYPREP remains resolute in its mission and inspired, particularly by the sustained community support for bringing lasting environmental restoration to Ogoniland and its environs, ensuring that the Ogoni people live in a safe, healthy, and economically vibrant environment”, the statement concluded.
