HYPREP Takes Delivery Of Power Project Equipment

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has taken delivery of the first batch of equipment for the Ogoni Power Project geared towards providing steady electricity to all parts of Ogoniland.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibari Zabbey, who disclosed this at the quarterly interactive session with Ogoni youths in Port Harcourt, also said HYPREP was initiating the Civic Education and Constructive Engagement Campaign (CECE) aimed at sensitizing the Ogoni people, including youths on the importance of peaceful dialogue, active citizenship, civic responsibilities, and collaborative development efforts.
Prof Zabbey maintained that the initiative would help the people, particularly youths, leverage dialogue and negotiation as the most effective tool for resolving conflicts and driving advocacy and progress.
He said, “This year, HYPREP is drawing from a new policy thrust that prioritizes the timely completion of all projects within stated timelines. As a community-based project, we understand the urgency of protecting the environment and improving livelihoods in line with our mandate, and I assure you that we are working tirelessly to deliver this”
He listed the achievements of HYPREP to include the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration scheduled for commissioning this year; the shoreline remediation project at 39.4 percent conclusion with over 937,000 litres of oily sludge recovered, evacuated and treated from mangrove sediments as well as the evacuation of over 1.7 million kilograms of solid waste from the Ogoni creeks.
He said other projects were the mangrove restoration project, which has reached at 86 percent completion and the water scheme with 10 facilities completed and providing water to 30 communities.
As part of efforts to ensure that more communities have access to potable water, Zabbey disclosed that by the third quarter of this year, the water projects will be completed in the following communities, namely, Bodo, Uegwere-Boue, Gwara, Taabaa, Okwale, Aleto, Kaani, Deken, K-Dere and Borobara.
He noted that the HYPREP’s Livelihood restoration programme has continued to empower Ogoni youths with skills and opportunities for sustainable economic development, especially as the Project commences training for high-demand skill areas like Seafaring and Creative arts.
The Project Coordinator stated that HYPREP has commenced the installation of Information Technology equipment in its pilot IT-supported classroom project, starting with Alesa, Bori, Bane, Bodo and Korokoro communities. In addition, the construction of the Ogoni Specialist Hospital and the Buan Cottage Hospitals has reached 70 percent and 93 percent completion.
He promised that some selected youth leaders would be part of the second batch of the Ogoni Traditional Rulers and Key Stakeholders Workshop on Mechanism for Alternative Dispute Resolution, an initiative aimed at extending the peace-building efforts of the Project in Ogoni.
He assured that HYPREP Projects were executed in line with best practices and none would be abandoned. He further noted that the Project is exploring other areas of value addition and is in talks with development partners to ensure it benefits the people, especially the youths of Ogoni.