The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to completing the remediation and restoration of Ogoniland in Rivers State, decades after oil pollution devastated parts of the area.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, gave the assurance in Bodo City, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, during the 10th anniversary of the Ogoni Cleanup project and the official unveiling of the Ogoni Cleanup Monument on Thursday.
Lawal said President Bola Tinubu remained committed to the full completion of the cleanup and restoration of the Ogoni environment.
The minister said the monument would serve as a permanent symbol of the government’s commitment to the Ogoni people.
“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.
He noted that Tinubu issued a direct marching order upon assuming office to ensure the speedy conclusion of the project, adding that ongoing operations under the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project reflected this resolve.
Highlighting progress recorded so far, the minister pointed to infrastructure developments in the area, including the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, a specialist hostel, a cottage hospital and the Ogoni Power Project.
“The Centre of Excellence is built on vast land that will attract international collaboration and research. It will place Ogoniland on the global map of environmental research and remediation efforts,” Lawal stated.
Beyond physical infrastructure, he emphasised that significant progress had been recorded in soil and groundwater remediation, mangrove restoration, public health interventions and the provision of potable water.
The minister cited the return of aquatic life to local waterways as evidence of ecosystem recovery. “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 said.
Lawal also disclosed that four local government areas in Ogoniland recently received Ramsar accreditation certificates, an international designation recognising wetland conservation efforts, which he said would open doors for global funding and support.
Announcing the flag-off of Phase II of the shoreline cleanup project, Lawal noted that simple and medium-impact remediation sites had been completed, paving the way for work on complex sites alongside the second phase of shoreline cleanup.
He urged stakeholders in Ogoniland to communicate regularly with the leadership of HYPREP to achieve more development rather than engage in divisive actions.
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In his remarks, the HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, described the Ogoni cleanup as the world’s largest oil remediation project, while describing its mangrove restoration initiative as the largest restoration of oil-degraded mangroves globally.
“Ten years is a significant milestone, offering all stakeholders an opportunity to reflect on where we started, where we are today, and where we are going,” Zabbey said.
He noted that, as part of the Phase II shoreline cleanup flag-off, HYPREP presented International Maritime Organisation and Swim Test Certificates to 1,420 community workers, bringing the total number of direct jobs created for Ogoni youths and women to over 8,500.
Zabbey, however, appealed to shoreline communities to guard against overharvesting returning aquatic life and indiscriminate cutting of mangroves.
The HYPREP coordinator warned that controlled harvesting was necessary to sustain ecological gains. He acknowledged that while the project had faced challenges such as community disputes, access issues and misinformation, stakeholder cooperation had helped overcome many obstacles.
Leaders from Ogoniland who also spoke during the ceremony included the member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dumnamene Dekor.
Dekor appealed to the Minister of Environment to fast-track the completion and energisation of the Ogoni Independent Power Project, describing electricity as a key catalyst for regional industrial development and youth empowerment.
On his part, the Board Chairman of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Senator Magnus Abe, urged Ogoni leaders and residents to unite, end internal disputes and maximise the support extended by Tinubu.
“Nobody can organise or strategise for us; those are things we must do for ourselves. The prosperity and development of Ogoniland cannot wait for anybody anymore. We must move together,” Abe stated.
He urged stakeholders to maintain constructive engagement and avoid disruptions that could delay project delivery.
“Disruption and division will only delay the benefits meant for the people. Let us choose the path of partnership, transparency, and mutual respect,” he added.
The Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Olaka Nwogu, called for the expansion of HYPREP’s interventions to include education, economic empowerment and community safety to complement environmental remediation.
The event was also attended by the Minister of Regional Development, a representative of the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, traditional rulers and religious leaders, who applauded the gains recorded by HYPREP since the Ogoni Cleanup began in 2016.
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