Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, has taken a major step toward transforming healthcare in Ogoniland with the submission of the Technical Planning Committee’s report on the operationalization of the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, OSH, a key pillar of post-oil spill public health interventions.
Project Coordinator Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey said the hospital, currently 78.2% complete, represents a “strategic effort by HYPREP to address the longstanding health services gap in Ogoni,” adding that it will serve as a referral hub, “providing quality, specialized care while reducing the burden of accessing distant urban tertiary medical services.”
Prof. Zabbey explained that months of detailed work by the committee, comprising community representatives and public health veterans, has produced a sustainable operational framework covering governance, funding, and management.
“We don’t want to wait until the facility is completed before we take action,” he said. “The committee has gone beyond expectations, evaluating legal frameworks, financial operations, and technical management models nationally and internationally.”
The Ogoni Specialist Hospital complements other ongoing health initiatives, including the Buan Cottage Hospital, human biomonitoring studies, medical outreaches, and ambulance distribution to local health centers.
Zabbey emphasized that “these investments are meant for the people, and their sustainability depends on community ownership, vigilance, and protection.”
Meanwhile, HYPREP has pledged to forward the committee’s report to its Governing Council for approval, with implementation expected to begin in January 2026.
Zabbey said, “I am confident that the Council will approve all recommendations, allowing us to start operations swiftly and effectively.”
The hospital is part of HYPREP’s broader mandate, which goes beyond UNEP’s original recommendations. “We have strengthened eight health facilities, constructed the Buan Cottage Hospital at 98% completion, and now the Ogoni Specialist Hospital,” Zabbey noted.
“Our approach is holistic, ensuring the people of Ogoni benefit directly from public health infrastructure created as part of environmental restoration efforts.”
Professor Christie Mato, Chairperson of the Technical Planning Committee, highlighted the community-centered approach: “We presented a model where the Ogoni Foundation will hold the hospital in trust for the Ogoni people, ensuring access and affordability. We also proposed hybrid staffing and community-based health insurance schemes to reduce operational costs while maximizing care.”
Mr. Legborsi Pyagbara, former President of MOSOP and committee member, described the submission of the report as a historic moment: “This is a step forward in providing healthcare services closer to the people. It’s a dream come true for Ogoni, and the community must play a role to ensure the hospital survives and becomes a pride for all of us.”
As Ogoniland prepares for the operationalization of its first specialist hospital, stakeholders say it marks a pivotal moment in the Niger Delta’s long journey toward healthcare access, environmental justice, and community-led development.
