Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, has announced significant progress in the Ogoni Power Project, an initiative aimed at connecting Ogoni communities to Nigeria’s national electricity grid.
The Ogoni Power Project is part of HYPREP’s broader efforts to restore and develop Ogoniland, which also includes environmental remediation, mangrove restoration, healthcare infrastructure, potable water projects, a world class research hub, etc.
HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, at the Quarterly Interactive Session with Ogoni Youths, held in Port Harcourt, emphasized the importance of the power project in driving economic growth and improving the quality of life for Ogoni residents.
Zabbey noted that construction of electricity towers would soon commence, with progress already being made in various phases of the project.
“We recognize that access to power is a critical driver of economic growth to improve the quality of life. The project is progressing, and once operational, it will transform the landscape of Ogoniland, providing energy for homes, businesses, and industries while creating sustainable jobs for Ogoni youths. The active phase, which would include the construction of electricity towers, will commence soon.
“We are surveying the right of way and even the substations, we have done tower spotting where the towers will stand. Manufacturers have began production of the equipment and our team will be in India by November for inspection, afterwhich it will be shipped down.”
Zabbey highlighted other significant developments in Ogoni, noting that HYPREP was actively working on the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, CEER, which would serve as a hub for environmental remediation research and vocational training, with completion anticipated in 2025.
The HYPREP boss also discussed ongoing efforts to improve healthcare access, including the construction of the Ogoni Specialist Hospital and Buan Cottage Hospital.
He said HYPREP was focused on providing clean water to Ogoni communities through the construction of potable water facilities across the four local government areas of Khana, Gokana, Tai, and Eleme and expressed satisfaction with the progress made in ensuring that all Ogonis can access safe drinking water.
“Today, we celebrate progress in remediating hydrocarbon-impacted land, shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration, and constructing critical infrastructure in Ogoniland. These include the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, CEER, the Ogoni Power Project, the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, the Buan Cottage Hospital, 14 water schemes, and an array of other special projects that will impact the lives of every Ogoni person.
“We reaffirm our commitment to implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland. One of the key projects being carried out by the federal government through HYPREP is the CEER, which will stand as a beacon of cutting-edge research and a repository of the science and art of environmental remediation, placing Ogoniland at the forefront of environmental remediation in Nigeria and across West Africa.”
Zabbey also announced plans to commence post graduate scholarship for the youths of Ogoniland, and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to delivering the projects within set timelines, stressing the importance of peace and cooperation from the Ogoni community in achieving these goals.
“On the core mandate of remediating hydrocarbon-impacted land and shoreline areas, we proudly say HYPREP has achieved significant milestones. Several impacted sites have been rehabilitated to acceptable levels. This is a testament to the collective effort of our team, the contractors, and the cooperation of stakeholders, particularly the Ogoni youths.
“We are pleased to announce that as part of HYPREP’s expanded livelihood programme, we are rolling out a new initiative to provide local postgraduate scholarship support to Ogoni students starting in October 2024. This is a significant development, and our objective is to empower Ogoni youths to pursue advanced education in fields that will benefit the Ogoni community and the nation at large.
“We believe that education is critical to long-term development, and this scholarship initiative is designed to create a cadre of skilled professionals in line with HYPREP’s effort to develop alternative sources of livelihood for youths who will lead Ogoniland into a green and prosperous future.”
