Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has disclosed its resolve to partner critical stakeholders, including regulators and asset owners towards ensuring the delivery of quality projects in the Ogoni Cleanup programme.

The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, made the disclosure at the Third Quarter Key Regulators and Asset Owners Meeting which was held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State yesterday, as part of HYPREP’s transparency and accountability framework, emphasising the invaluable roles regulators and asset owners play in the project’s Quality Control and Quality Assurance Framework.

In his remarks, Zabbey noted that the meeting further affirms the project’s commitment to the environmental restoration of Ogoniland through a robust synergy with stakeholders, including regulators and asset owners to ensure the full implementation of the recommendations of the UN Environment Programme Report on Ogoni Environment.

“This meeting serves a dual purpose; first to provide a platform for HYPREP to share updates on the status of the project and areas where further support is required, and secondly to allow regulators and asset owners to provide constructive feedback that will help strengthen our collective approach,” he said.

As a key part of HYPREP’s policy framework, Zabbey stated that the Project prioritises Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) at all levels, while urging for regulators and asset owners continued support to ensure quality projects delivery.

“As we continue to consolidate the gains made so far, HYPREP remains steadfast in adhering to international standards, processes and protocols. As an interventionist and community-based project, we will continue to engage all stakeholders transparently as we address challenges that may arise during project implementation

“Your continuous support and constructive feedback remain vital in helping the Project Coordination Office overcome these challenges and sustain the momentum of progress,” he stated.

The project coordinator reeled out the significant progress made across the Project’s thematic areas, including remediation of hydrocarbon-impacted sites, mangrove restoration, provision of potable water, public health interventions, the Ogoni Power Project, and environmental awareness and capacity building in environmental management, livelihood restoration, construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration and building global partnership and linkages for sustainability.

Speaking on the take-off of the CEER, the project coordinator pointed out that the Hon Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has given approval to all the recommendations of the Technical Planning Committee (TPC), especially the establishment of a directorate, adding that advertisement will be made for the engagement of a director for the centre. He revealed that the project is working with the Post-UNEP Team to develop short programmes to advance research in environmental remediation and restoration, and generate knowledge products from the Ogoni Cleanup programme.

On the provision of potable water, the HYPREP head informed that three additional water projects will be ready for commissioning this year. They are the water schemes in Bane, Gwara and K. Dere.

Zabbey disclosed that the Prof Christy Mato-led Technical Planning Committee (TPC) for the 100-bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital is ready with its report and hopes that the recommendations will help HYPREP achieve its aim of actualising access to quality healthcare for the Ogoni people.

He mentioned that training for high demand skills for Ogoni women and youths will soon commence, following the award of contracts for training in mechatronics, underwater welding, commercial diving, full-stack development, GIS among others.

Also, with the next phase of the Shoreline and Mangrove Restoration projects about to start, the PC reiterated the project’s commitment to increase women’s participation to 45 per cent.

He maintained that these coordinated interventions are gradually restoring confidence in the clean-up effort and bringing renewed hope to Ogoniland.

Participants at the meeting commended HYPREP for the milestone achievements, especially in the Mangrove Restoration Project, provision of potable water and CEER, while assuring of their continuous support for the project. One of their submissions is for HYPREP to train more Mangrove Vanguards as it gets set to commence the next phase of the Mangrove Restoration Project in Ogoni.