In line with its peace-building mandate, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has announced that it is initiating the Civic Education and Constructive Engagement Campaign (CECE), an initiative aimed at sensitizing the Ogoni people, including youths on the importance of peaceful dialogue, active citizenship, civic responsibilities, and collaborative development efforts.
Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, Project Coordinator of HYPREP, speaking at the Quarterly Interactive Meeting with Ogoni youths in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, maintains that the initiative will help the people, particularly youths, leverage dialogue and negotiation as the most effective tool for resolving conflicts and driving advocacy and progress.
The forum, initiated to provide a platform for robust feedback between HYPREP and Ogoni youths, who hold a critical stake in the Project, being the most beneficiaries of the Cleanup programme, had the PC also unveil the 2025 Policy Thrust. Professor Zabbey explained that:
”This year, HYPREP is drawing from a new policy thrust that prioritizes the timely completion of all projects within stated timelines. As a community-based project, we understand the urgency of protecting the environment and improving livelihoods in line with our mandate, and I assure you that we are working tirelessly to deliver this”
In delivering on these, the HYPREP head reeled out the outstanding milestones recorded in the Project, namely the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, which is at the finishing stage and will be commissioned this year for public use; the shoreline remediation project, at 39.4%, with over 937,000 litres of oily sludge recovered, evacuated and treated from mangrove sediments as well as the evacuation of over 1.7 million kilograms of solid waste from the Ogoni creeks. Other projects include the mangrove restoration project, which has reached an 86% completion rate, the potable water scheme with 10 facilities completed and providing water to 30 communities in Ogoniland.
Furthermore, as part of a sustained effort to ensure that more communities have access to potable water for overall public health and well-being, He disclosed that by the third quarter of this year, the water projects will be completed in the following communities, namely, Bodo, Uegwere-Boue, Gwara, Taabaa, Okwale, Aleto, Kaani, Deken, K-Dere and Borobara among others.
He noted that the HYPREP’s Livelihood restoration programme has continued to empower Ogoni youths with skills and opportunities for sustainable economic development, especially as the Project commences training for high-demand skill areas like Seafaring and Creative arts. He revealed that the Project will roll out interventions to support small and medium-scale businesses in the coming weeks.
On, education support, the PC, stated that HYPREP has commenced the installation of Information Technology equipment in its pilot IT-supported classroom project, starting with Alesa, Bori, Bane, Bodo and Korokoro communities. In addition, the construction of the Ogoni Specialist Hospital and the Buan Cottage Hospitals have reached completion rates of 70% and 93.8% respectively.
More so, the PC informed that the Project has taken delivery of the first batch of equipment for the Ogoni Power Project and has continued to deepen engagement with critical stakeholders. He promised that some selected youth leaders would be part of the second batch of the Ogoni Traditional Rulers and Key Stakeholders Workshop on Mechanism for Alternative Dispute Resolution, an initiative aimed at extending the peace-building efforts of the Project in Ogoni.
While acknowledging the commitment of the Hon. Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abba, to the Ogoni Cleanup programme, Professor Zabbey also commended the youths for their participation in Project engagements, urging them to disseminate accurate information about the Project and refrain from spreading unsubstantiated allegations and misinformation as these hinder progress.
He insisted that all HYPREP Projects are executed in line with best practices and none will be abandoned. He further noted that the Project is exploring other areas of value addition and is in talks with development partners to ensure it benefits the people, especially the youths of Ogoni.
The PC took time to provide responses and clarifications on several issues and concerns raised by the participants, with Dr Sorbarikor Lebura, a lecturer with the Rivers State University giving the keynote address on ”Be on the Right Side of History”
