Periwinkle, Cockles Return As HYPREP Restores Mangrove Swamps

One of the success stories of the Ogoni Cleanup being undertaken by the Hydrocarbons Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) is the restoration of the mangrove forests in previously devastated swamps.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey disclosed this in his midterm report at the Stakeholders Engagement forum held in Port Harcourt last Friday.
The Project Coordinator said apart from the rebounding of the mangrove forests, popular seafood organisms like periwinkles and cockles that disappeared from the creeks were finding their way back to the joy of the people.
He told the gathering that HYPREP has been able to achieve milestones in its core mandate areas of remediation, livelihood support, mangrove restoration and establishment of a centre of excellence
Zabbey said the construction of a 43-bed Cottage Hospital in Buan was 93 percent complete, and the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, a 100-bed facility, has reached 76 percent completion.
He noted that soil and groundwater cleanup at medium-risk sites has made substantial headway while HYPREP’s community-led restoration of 560 hectares of oil-degraded mangroves is nearing completion, marking a major milestone in rehabilitating ecosystems damaged by decades of oil pollution. Shoreline cleanup efforts have similarly progressed, with over half of the targeted areas remediated.
He said, “Currently, HYPREP is advancing the remediation of 39 lots across 17 medium-risk, complex sites covering 125.39 hectares of hydrocarbon-impacted land. This involves remediating contaminated soil and groundwater outside residential areas. HYPREP has launched the world’s largest initiative to restore mangroves degraded by oil in Ogoniland. The pilot phase, covering 560 hectares, is 93 per cent complete.
“I am pleased to inform you that HYPREP has recorded commendable progress in the implementation of its core mandates in line with UNEP recommended actions and the directives in the official gazette establishing HYPREP.”
He added, “In the area of environmental remediation, more sites have been successfully remediated and certified, with several others currently at different stages of remediation. HYPREP has successfully achieved certification and officially closed out 50 remediated lots across 17 UNEP-assessed sites, under its Phase 1 Remediation of Simple Sites.
“The clean-up of 1,700 hectares of oiled shoreline is 53 percent completed. Currently, HYPREP is advancing the remediation of 39 lots l across 17 medium-risk, complex sites covering 125.39 hectares of hydrocarbon-impacted land. This involves remediating contaminated soil and groundwater outside residential areas. HYPREP had launched the world’s largest initiative to restore mangroves degraded by oil in Ogoniland with the pilot phase, covering 560 hectares, 93 percent done.
Ogoni leaders who spoke at the forum praised HYPREP for the great work it has done so far, and appealed for support from communities and government to enable the project carried out to a successful end.
The President of KAGOTE, the apex socio-political organization of the Ogoni, Hon. Emmanuel Deekor, said the journey of HYPREP has just started, and called on the Federal Government to review and increase the funding of HYPREP.
Member of the House of Representatives for Khana/Gokana, Hon. Dumnamene Deekor, urged youths in the communities to protect the water projects and make good use of the starter packs given to them by HYPREP.
The Oneh-Eh Eleme XI, King Philip Obele, called for a minute’s silence for Ogoni people that died while fighting seek justice for the people and their environment.
Former Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Hon. Oji Ngofa, called for sustainability of HYPREP’s projects and programmes.
Former Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. Barineme Fakae, who said, “Today is a good day,” added that he was particularly impressed with the centre of excellence and the remediation projects.
Ogoni women’s leader, Mrs. Priscilla Vikue, said HYPREP has favoured Ogoni mothers, and noted that the special seashells of Ogoni water like the periwinkle and cookies are coming back after the remediation exercises.