Fabeke, Ogoni Groups Demand Probe Into HYPREP Water Projects

The Ogale Graduates Association (OGA) and other stakeholders have called for an urgent investigation into the status of water projects funded by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), following claims that the Ogale Water Scheme is functional.
In a statement signed by its Executive President, Engr. Aleyla-Obari Sam Nwanje, OGA dismissed a recent report by a Port Harcourt radio station alleging that the facility had been commissioned and was supplying water to residents.
According to the group, the project “remains inactive, abandoned and not functional,” despite the severe hydrocarbon pollution affecting Ogale and surrounding communities.
“It is gazzetted in the UNEP report that our underground water is contaminated with benzene 900 times above World Health Organization standards,” the statement said.
“Clean, potable water is an emergency measure that must precede all other remediation efforts. The continued inactivity of the HYPREP Ogale Water Project endangers the health and lives of our people.”
The association called on the HYPREP Board of Trustees, through its Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, to carry out a joint verification visit with the Ministry of Environment, community representatives, and other relevant agencies.
OGA also urged the public to disregard the radio report, describing it as “false, incorrect and misleading,” and appealed to Ogale residents to support efforts towards securing safe water.
In a response signed by its Head of Communication, Enuolare Mba-Nwigoh, HYPREP acknowledged the concerns raised by the association and assured the public that the agency remains committed to delivering on all aspects of the Ogoni cleanup.
While not directly addressing the claim of inactivity at the Ogale Water Project, HYPREP highlighted ongoing initiatives, including health facilities, livelihood programmes, mangrove restoration, shoreline remediation, and the Ogoni Power Project.
The spokesperson said HYPREP was “not unmindful” of public expectations and urged the Ogoni people to continue supporting the cleanup programme.
“No ethnic nationality has the same opportunities and bounties that Ogoni has,” Mba-Nwigoh stated. “Let us make the most of this special purpose vehicle to achieve our collective vision.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Fabeke Douglas, president of the Ogoni Liberation Initiative, has demanded accountability from contractors handling HYPREP’s water projects.
He questioned why some individuals appeared “to publicly justify the collapse” of multi-billion-naira water schemes awarded to Dullz Dredging and Construction Ltd. (Ebubu) and Surez Global Resources Ltd. (Gwara), both of which, he noted, had received full payment.
Fabeke said his organisation had been authorised to monitor HYPREP projects and would release findings from its independent investigation within seven days.
“It is painful that Ogoni is incurring losses, and HYPREP will now need to source additional funds to execute another water project,” he said. “It is our collective responsibility to safeguard every project that benefits our communities.”
Community leaders, civil society groups and residents have repeatedly described the provision of potable water as the most critical short-term requirement in the ongoing cleanup of Ogoniland.
With multiple concerns now emerging over the status and integrity of HYPREP-funded water schemes, pressure is mounting on the agency and contractors to deliver results and ensure transparency in the implementation of the UNEP recommendations.