Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, has opened fresh bid in order to engage 36 more contractors for the cleanup of oil-impacted sites in Ogoniland.
HYPREP said the aim of the additional 36 firms to the already mobilized 21 companies was to effectively carry out the project in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environmental report.
Speaking, in Port Harcourt, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Dr. Marvin Dekil, said the bidding is opened to as many companies to apply, adding that seven out of the 36 firms to be contracted would specialize in assessment for more detailed remediation.
Dekil also disclosed that full remediation work has commenced on the 16 less complex impacted sites handed over to contractors in January, adding that only about 5percent of Ogoniland was contaminated.
“We started the process of remediating the less impacted sites in Ogoni. These are sites we are using simple remediation options to clean. We started by awarding 21 lots and those companies are actively on site in the various LGAs. You can go and see for yourself.
“In continuation of that, we have added 36 lots. This means that additional 36 will join those other 21 companies that are there and they actively will be doing different things. Out of those 36, we have seen that are going to be specialized in assessment on those sites and to allow for more detailed remediation option.
“Today is another milestone recorded in terms of the implementation of the remediation mandate on HYPREP. Soon we will be going into the complex sites.”
Dekil also explained that the process was international competitive bidding, adding that HYPREP is also encouraging local companies to apply in the bidding process.
He also clarified that contrary to claims in some quarters, HYPREP was not concentrating only on remediation, but was working hard to ensure that every other recommendation of UNEP would happen simultaneously along with the remediation process.