The Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Peter Ryan, has commended the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) for implementing a people-based project in terms of the direct and indirect benefits it provides for the Ogoni people across its projects.
Mr Ryan spoke during a working visit to the Project Coordination Office (PCO) in Port Harcourt, saying that the remediation of contaminated lands and restoration of livelihoods by HYPREP in Ogoni is a multi-generational effort. He urged HYPREP to continue to carry out this noble task with diligence and be mindful of high expectations and dependency from the communities on the Project to deliver a world-class cleanup that is sustainable.
He stressed that HYPREP’s projects and programmes can be impactful when they are owned by the communities. He added that Ireland is willing to partner with HYPREP to actualise the Project’s mandate for the future of Ogoni, noting that the Project is all about the people.
The ambassador said that the visit had allowed him to appreciate the pace of work on the Ogoni cleanup project, which he described as ‘people-focused’.
“This is a great opportunity to build collaboration with Ireland. It makes perfect sense to be part of this journey together. I am so impressed with Prof. (Nenibarini Zabbey)and his team, and how highly motivated they are.
” They are not new people to the Project, and Prof. (Nenibarini Zabbey) has given decades of work in service of the community, and I think it’s great to build collaboration with Ireland,” Ryan stated.
Furthermore, the Irish Ambassador disclosed that his country would be exploring the potential of partnering with HYPREP in the research and educational sector through the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER).
Responding, Professor Nenibarini Zaabbey, Project Coordinator of HYPREP, expressed delight about the visit and the opportunity to inform him about ongoing and completed projects including the Centre of Excellence, Shoreline and land remediation, Potable water supply, construction of the Ogoni Specialist Hospital and Buan Cottage Hospital, Mangrove Restoration, alternative livelihood, Ogoni Power Project, Human Capacity Development among others.
Professor Zabbey said the visit will further motivate the team, stating that it is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 17-Partnership for Development.
The PC informed that HYPREP will this year, in compliance with the Presidential Directive on National Food Security be carrying out phytoremediation, biotechnology research and agro-based training for Ogoni youths and women as part of its efforts contribute to food security in the region. in addition, he mentioned that the Project has commenced a feasibility study for the establishment of an agro-hub that will create green jobs in the area.
According to the PC, the visit provides a vista of opportunities to collaborate with institutions in Ireland, adding value to the Project and contributing to the successes recorded, especially in building community resilience through the mangrove restoration project in mitigating the impact of climate change in the region.
Prof Zabbey maintained that HYPREP’s projects and programmes prioritise the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through Priority 3, Deliverable 3, stating that the Project is excited to be carriers of Hope for the Ogoni people, the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.
It is therefore not surprising that a Project with a three-trunk appeal- local, national and international is attracting stakeholders across the geographical divide to Ogoni.
