Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, has announced significant progress on the Ogoni Power Project, signaling a major stride in its integrated plan to restore livelihoods and drive energy access across Ogoniland as part of the ongoing environmental remediation effort.
Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, disclosed this in Port Harcourt during the 3rd Quarter Interactive Session with Ogoni Youth Groups.
He said construction work and compensation activities were in full swing at the Bodo and Wiiyaakara substations, which are critical components of the electricity infrastructure designed to power development in the region.
“The Ogoni Power Project is progressing steadily with wayleave compensation and construction works ongoing at the Bodo and Wiiyaakara substations,” Zabbey announced. “The aim is to provide reliable electricity supply to communities and industrial clusters that will emerge from the cleanup’s broader socioeconomic recovery programme.”
He explained that the project was conceived to complement environmental remediation with sustainable energy access, a critical driver for economic revitalization and local enterprise growth in post-remediation Ogoniland.
“Energy is central to rebuilding Ogoni,” Zabbey stated. “Clean water, healthcare, and livelihood programmes will all thrive better when we can guarantee stable electricity. That is why the Ogoni Power Project is a cornerstone of our long-term development framework.”
The Project Coordinator noted that the power infrastructure was being executed in partnership with relevant agencies and stakeholders to ensure technical precision, environmental safety, and social inclusiveness. “We are ensuring that communities are properly consulted and compensated,” he said. “The era of neglect and exclusion is over. HYPREP’s projects are people-centered and participatory.”
Zabbey also highlighted progress across other critical thematic areas of the Ogoni cleanup, noting that environmental and social projects are being implemented in tandem. According to him, “the project remains on course to achieve its mandate as outlined in the UNEP Report and the official gazette establishing HYPREP.”
He revealed that phase one of the mangrove restoration has reached 94 percent completion, shoreline remediation is 67.1 percent completed, while phase two of land remediation has advanced to 36.55 percent. “The cleanup is producing measurable results. Every percentage point reflects cleaner soil, safer water, and healthier communities,” he said.
On infrastructure, Zabbey disclosed that the Ogoni Specialist Hospital is 76.8 percent completed, while the Buan Cottage Hospital is almost ready at 98.7 percent completion. The Centre of Excellence for Environmental Remediation, he added, “has commenced operationalization to provide research, training, and technical support for ongoing and future remediation works.”
He emphasized that beyond environmental recovery, HYPREP’s interventions were designed to stimulate local economies and reduce youth unemployment. “Over 7,000 women and youths have benefited from various employment opportunities, while more than 5,000 have been trained in skills ranging from entrepreneurship to advanced technical fields,” he said. “We are also launching training in high-demand areas like cybersecurity, software development, and underwater welding this quarter.”
Zabbey used the occasion to urge youths to remain peaceful and engaged, stressing that constructive dialogue was vital for the project’s sustainability. “Let us continue to address challenges through dialogue rather than confrontation,” he appealed. “This project belongs to all of you, and its success depends mainly on your participation, unity, and collaboration.”
He commended the Chief Security Officer of HYPREP and his team for maintaining peace across project sites, adding that their professionalism has ensured safe operations. He also wished success to postgraduate applicants sitting for the project’s scholarship Computer-Based Test. “We are proud of your efforts to advance academically and look forward to seeing you contribute meaningfully to the future of Ogoni and the nation,” he said.
The session brought together youth leaders, civil society groups, people with disabilities, and community stakeholders, reaffirming HYPREP’s resolve to restore Ogoniland not only ecologically, but also economically, with reliable power supply as a catalyst for lasting transformation.
