…Calls for enhanced financial partnerships
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has expressed strong support for the ongoing mangrove restoration efforts in Ogoniland led by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, urging for greater financial collaboration to complete the remaining works.
During an inspection visit to HYPREP’s projects in K-Dere and Bomu, Gokana Local of Rivers State, the NDDC delegation, led by Director, Environmental Protection and Control, Elder Dr. Henry Asuquo Okokon, reviewed the progress and discussed potential support measures.
Okokon urged HYPREP to keep NDDC informed of its challenges and areas of need, assuring that the commission remains open to strengthening collaboration for the success of the Ogoni cleanup.
“We came here today because we needed to know what HYPREP has done over time and then to find out how we can assist them and also learn from them. From what we have seen today, we really appreciate their efforts on what they’ve done.”
“I am highly impressed with the restoration project because one wouldn’t have thought that this has been done. We have seen that much has been done and we want to appreciate the efforts put into it,” he noted.
He added that HYPREP’s initiative to plant mangroves is a game changer for the ecosystem. “We have been told that HYPREP has planted 12 million mangroves, give it the next five years these mangroves will be appreciative.”
Emphasizing the importance of partnerships, Dr. Asuquo stressed the need for enhanced financial support to see the project through to completion. “From what we have seen today, HYPREP is doing well and we want to encourage them that they should liaise with other bodies in terms of finance, so that what is left undone, they will be able to complete it.”
Also speaking, the Director of Technical Services at HYPREP, Dr. Aguiyi Paul, revealed that discussions were already underway with key agencies, including the African Development Bank and the United Nations, to secure additional funding and partnerships for the project.
“We have actually opened up some level of discussion for collaboration between agencies like NDDC and other partners. Next week, the United Nations’ country representative in Nigeria will visit our projects, participate in some of our commissioning activities, and plant a symbolic mangrove in Bomu.
“We believe such association will bring in the much-needed partnership and collaboration that will attract more funding.”
He highlighted the positive impact of mangrove restoration, noting that fisherfolks have resumed fishing, and the ecosystem is gradually recovering. “Today, crabs, oysters, and periwinkles are gradually returning, showing a significant impact from what we have done so far,” he added.
