The Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt has lauded Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) for the giant strides the Project has recorded under his leadership as it continues to implement the recommendations of the United Nations UN Environment Programme Report on Ogoni.
Senator Mao Ohabunwa, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Uniport Governing Council conveyed the commendation when he led members of the Council, Vice-chancellor, Professor Owunari Georgewill and Management of the University on a courtesy call to the Project Coordination Office (PCO), last Friday, as part of its activities for the golden jubilee anniversary of the institution.
Furthermore, Senator Ohabunwa, while appreciating the PC, said the visit was to strengthen the robust relationship between HYPREP and the University in the areas of environmental research, knowledge transfer and expertise. He described the PC as a worthy ambassador of the University of Port Harcourt given his laudable achievements in the implementation of the Ogoni Cleanup programme. He promised to support a bill for the establishment of HYPREP as an agency.
Responding, Professor Zabbey stated that the visit was symbolic and inspiring, adding that the Project has benefitted immensely from the partnership and collaboration from the University especially through the expertise of lectures on sabbatical on the Project.
These partnership are in the remediation project where the Department of Geology provided services in the site characterization of some HYPREP sites, carried out baseline of biodiversity assessment with the Department of Fisheries on the Bomu Creek preceding the Mangrove restoration programme, the Bloody Cockle Culture Project currently being conducted by researchers from Uniport and Rivers State University in the African Regional Aquaculture Centre and the Aftercare Project currently being carried out with the postgraduate students of Uniport to boost soil fertility after remediation. He further informed that the University of Port Harcourt will participate in the forthcoming Public Health Study of Ogoni to be conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO)
Acknowledging the enormous contributions to the Project, including partnerships and the number of the Uniport Alumni holding management positions on the Project, the PC maintained that the University serves as the technical backbone of the HYPREP Project.
Among other projects, the PC mentioned that HYPREP has placed premium on trainings for Ogoni youths which includes the provision of education support for 250 Ogoni Final year students and postgraduate scholarship for another 300. He hinted that the education support will continue this year.
To further strengthen research collaboration, the PC announced that the Project will endow a Chair for Wetland Research in the University. He explained that the justification for this is the need to further study the verse wetland and mangrove areas in the Niger Delta- being the largest in Africa and the fifth largest in the world, and the mangrove restoration programme of HYPREP as part of Nigeria’s nationally determined contribution in climate change mitigation and adaptation. This is in addition to restoration of ecosystem goods and services and the livelihood implications for local people.
He assured that the Project will continue to partner the University in the area of human capacity development and cutting-edge innovative research. He felicitated with the University on its 50th Anniversary, highlighting its contribution to national and international development, especially in advancing research and research products.
Professor Zabbey assured the visitors that HYPREP is committed to a sustainable cleanup in Ogoni.
Highpoint of the event was the visit to the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, Wiiyaakara, Khana LGA. The visitors were thrilled by the significant advancement of the Centre which is over 80% completed.
Speaking on this, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Ohabunwa, asserted,
” We are convinced with what we have seen and we can relate it to with what we have heard before coming here. I want to say that even the quality of work we have seen here is world class.
” Honestly, it confirms what we heard, we have heard we have seen and we can go back to tell the world that exactly what are hearing is true. And we can testify that quality work is going on here”
on his part, the Uniport VC, Prof. Georgewill, asserted that by setting up CEER, the Federal government has positioned itself as a listening government, pointing out that the University of Port Harcourt will collaborate with the Centre in carrying out research in environmental remediation.
Similarly, the HYPREP PC, while appreciating the Governing Council for the visit, stressed that the sustainability of the CEER is largely dependent on an enlarged network of partners, describing Uniport as one of its critical partners. He reiterated the significance of the visit and assured of more collaboration with the University of Port Harcourt and other Universities to promote knowledge in environmental remediation, building capacity and provide leadership through the CEER.
