Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, has tied its latest completion of seafarers’ training programme directly to Nigeria’s Blue Economy drive and efforts to curb resolution in Ogoniland, as 100 Ogoni youths graduated from a maritime skills initiative.
Speaking at the passing-out ceremony held at Charkin Maritime Academy, Port Harcourt, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, said the programme was designed not just as a skills intervention but as an economic strategy to create alternative income streams and discourage environmental crimes.
“By equipping our youth with globally relevant seafaring skills, we are opening doors to alternative sources of income while discouraging oil theft, artisanal refining, re-pollution, and other practices that threaten the integrity and productivity of the environment,” Zabbey said.
He described the ceremony as “an important milestone in HYPREP’s efforts to restore livelihoods and promote sustainable development in Ogoniland,” noting that environmental remediation without economic empowerment would be unsustainable.
“This passing-out ceremony is not just a celebration of certificates. It is a celebration of hard work, dedication, and a new chapter in the lives of these young individuals,” he stated.
“These skills should serve as a springboard for self-reliance, dignity of labour, and long-term economic empowerment.”
Zabbey linked the initiative to both the 2016 HYPREP Establishment Gazette and the 2011 UNEP Assessment Report on Ogoniland, which recommended that environmental restoration must be supported by livelihood programmes.
He added that the seafarers’ programme aligns with the Federal Government’s Blue Economy objectives and forms part of a broader, integrated development plan that includes the 93 per cent completed Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, CEER, the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, the Buan Cottage Hospital upgrade, and the ongoing Ogoni Power Project to connect communities to the national grid.
“Our approach is to integrate all projects and activities towards the goal of environmental sustainability and sustainable development of Ogoniland,” he said. “Every training intervention forms the bedrock of lasting peace and progress.”
Also speaking, Mr. Ehiozie Igbinomwanhia, HYPREP Project Support Lead at Renaissance Africa Energy Nigeria Limited, said the training reflects the principle that environmental restoration must go hand in hand with economic inclusion.
“This achievement is significant because the UNEP Report said environmental restoration can only be sustainable through livelihoods restoration,” he said.
“We at Renaissance remain committed to funding the project and human capacity development in Ogoniland. This training reflects our core values.”
He urged the beneficiaries to serve as ambassadors of the region. “Today marks more than completion of a training. You have the ability to start something. The world needs to see what Ogoniland can do. Be good ambassadors and make Ogoniland proud.”
On behalf of the trainees, Blessing Chujor from Eleme Local Government Area commended HYPREP for what she described as a landmark intervention.
“This is one big project that I have to applaud HYPREP for. I want to specially thank HYPREP for giving us this opportunity. We have never seen something of this magnitude in Ogoniland before,” she said.
With shoreline clean-up, mangrove restoration and remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater ongoing, HYPREP’s latest intervention signals a shift from purely environmental repair to building a skills-driven, economically resilient post-pollution Ogoniland.
