Regulators Praise HYPREP’s Land, Shoreline Remediation, Mangrove Restoration, Others
By Alice Etuka, Abuja
Environmentalists and other Regulators have commended the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) for the landmark success recorded in the implementation of the land and shoreline remediation, Mangrove restoration and other achievement in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
They gave the commendation at the 2025 4th Quarter Key Regulators / Asset Owners Meeting held in Port Harcourt.
The stakeholders praised HYPREP for the significant milestones achieved with excellent efficiency and transparency, demonstrating capacity and commitment to sustaining collaboration with development partners for the overall success of the Project.
They noted that the various sustainable livelihood programmes, donation of Ambulances to Health facilities in Ogoni, the construction of Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, as well as the ongoing Ogoni Power Project, from their independent field reports showed proofs of HYPREP driving even beyond its mandates.
Speaking at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey represented by the Director Technical Services, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi commended the regulators and asset owners for their cooperation with the Project, and for making themselves available for fieldwork and the regular review meetings.
Prof. Zabbey reiterated HYPREP’s commitment to best practice in waste management, particularly waste generation and disposal, calling on the Regulators for adequate logistics support, saying HYPREP’s priority is to focus on the core recommendations by UNEP, especially, remediation( Soil, shoreline) mangrove restoration, provision of potable water, interventions in public health care services and sustainable livelihood for the people.
He further highlighted the status of the Project, the successes achieved across all thematic areas, and assured that HYPREP will soon complete most of the ongoing projects and roll out others. He explained that the purpose of the meeting was to review the progress of the Ogoni Cleanup, ensure quality control, and foster effective collaboration.
Following the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit’s presentation on the status of HYPREP Projects, participants offered feedback on areas of concern. They reassured HYPREP and the people of Ogoni of their continued support for the Project’s success. They also suggested that the quarterly review meeting be sustained as it enables them to report, evaluate and proffer solutions to areas of concern.
Participants also commended HYPREP for improved community and stakeholder engagement and for adding to what they saw the previous time. “We commend HYPREP for the quality work done at sites. The progress is phenomenal, because HYPREP is scoring good grades, above average,” Prof. Iyenemi Kakulu from Rivers State University said.
The Quarterly Key Regulators/Asset Owners Meeting is HYPREP’s strategic stakeholder management model, underscoring the Project’s commitment to transparency, partnership for development, and accountability.
Organisations represented at the meeting include the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Centre for Environment and Human Rights Development (CEHRD), Society for Women and Youths Affairs (SWAYA), Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC), and Federal Ministry of Environment.
Others were the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Rivers State Ministry of Power, the Rivers State University, the Rivers State Ministry of Water and Rural Development, and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd.
