By Peter Asanakpa | National News
The Federal Government has announced a major breakthrough in the environmental restoration of Ogoniland, Rivers State, saying fish, periwinkles, crabs and shrimps have returned to several creeks following sustained remediation efforts.
The government said the development was a strong indication that aquatic ecosystems in many parts of Ogoni were recovering after years of environmental degradation caused by oil pollution.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, disclosed this in Bodo City, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, during activities marking the 10th anniversary of the Ogoni cleanup project and the unveiling of the Ogoni Cleanup Monument.
Lawal also announced the commencement of the second phase of the shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration programme, describing the initiative as a critical step towards completing the environmental restoration of Ogoniland.
According to the minister, the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to the full restoration of the region, with the Ogoni cleanup regarded as a national priority.
“Ten years ago in this very place, the flag-off of the Ogoni cleanup took place. Today, we return to affirm that commitment. The monument stands as a permanent reminder of a promise made and a promise kept,” Lawal said.
He said President Tinubu, upon assuming office, directed that the remediation programme be accelerated, noting that activities being implemented through the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, reflected the administration’s determination to deliver lasting environmental restoration.
The minister listed some of the infrastructure and interventions delivered under the programme to include the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, a specialist hospital, a cottage hospital and the Ogoni Power Project.
He added that progress had also been recorded in soil and groundwater remediation, mangrove restoration, public health interventions and the provision of potable water to communities.
Lawal identified the return of aquatic life to previously polluted waterways as one of the most significant signs that the environmental intervention was yielding results.
“One of the most important developments is the evidence of ecosystem recovery. The fish, periwinkles, crabs and shrimps are back. This is vital for the local economy and community livelihoods,” he said.
The minister explained that simple and medium-impact remediation sites had been completed, paving the way for the government to move into more complex remediation sites as well as the second phase of the shoreline cleanup.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibari Zabbey, described the Ogoni cleanup as the world’s largest oil remediation project and the mangrove restoration programme as the largest restoration of oil-degraded mangroves globally.
Zabbey said the 10-year milestone provided an opportunity for stakeholders to assess the progress made, identify remaining challenges and strengthen efforts towards completing the restoration programme.
“Ten years is a significant milestone, offering all stakeholders an opportunity to reflect on where we started, where we are today and where we are going,” he said.
As part of the commencement of Phase II of the shoreline cleanup, HYPREP presented International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and Swim Test certificates to 1,420 community workers.
Zabbey said the latest development had increased the number of direct jobs created for young people and women in Ogoniland under the project to more than 8,500.
He, however, urged shoreline communities to protect the aquatic resources now returning to their waterways, warning against overharvesting and indiscriminate cutting of mangroves.
According to him, controlled harvesting would be essential to preserving the ecological gains already recorded and ensuring that the returning aquatic life continues to support local livelihoods.
The HYPREP coordinator acknowledged that the cleanup had encountered challenges, including community disputes, access difficulties and misinformation, but said sustained cooperation among stakeholders had helped the project overcome several of the obstacles.
He stressed the need for continued community participation and protection of restored ecosystems as the Federal Government moves into the next phase of the Ogoni environmental restoration programme.
