By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, has cautioned shoreline communities of Ogoni not to engage in over harvesting of mangroves and fish species as restoration efforts continue.
HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof Zabbey made the call at the unveiling of the Ogoni Cleanup Flag-off Monument and launch of the second phase of the cleanup, at Bodo community, on Thursday.
It would be recalled that the Ogoni cleanup was officially flagged off at the site on 2nd June 2016 by then Vice President Yemi Osinbajo under the late President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Speaking at the event, which was also used to mark the 10 years anniversary of the project, Prof Zabbey stated that engaging in over harvesting of species could truncate the remediation efforts.
He said: “One encouraging development we are beginning to witness in HYPREP’S environmental restoration effort is the gradual return of fish and other aquatic species, which gives us hope that the restoration is producing visible results.
Already, mangrove wetland of Ogoni has been designated a Ramsa Site of International Importance. However I wish to use this opportunity to appeal particularly to shoreline communities
to protect these gains.
“Over harvesting poses a serious challenge to the sustainability of
aquatic resources in restored areas and biodiversity returns. We must have a controlled and responsible harvesting system so that we do not consume everything while the restoration
process is still ongoing.”
Prof Zabbey pointed out that the Ogoni clean up implemented by HYPREP is the world’s largest remediation project. “Our mangrove restoration project is also the world’s largest restoration of oil degraded mangroves. It is therefore important to preserve the legacy of the Ogoni cleanup with a permanent monument,” he said.
He noted that restoration of the environment remains a key focus for HYPREP. “We are advancing these through soil and groundwater remediation, shoreline cleanup, ecologically sound and community-based mangrove restoration, innovative research and the newly constructed center of excellence for environmental restoration in line with HYPREP’s mandate.
“We are also working to restore and improve livelihoods, recognizing that environmental restoration must go hand+in-hand with the social and economic well-being of the people in line with the expectations of HYPREP’s governing council.
“As we flag off the phase 2 shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration, I handover International Maritime Organization and Swing Test Certificates to 1,420 community workers at this historic site. New jobs have been created
increasing the number of direct jobs created by HYPREP for Ogoni youths and women to over 8,500,” he stated.
In his Goodwill Message, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company, Mr. Tony Attah, represented by a senior staff of the company, stated that UNEP in its report did not only identify the problem, but also provided a comprehensive pathway for restoration.
He highlighted that ten years after commencement, the project has transitioned from assessment and delineation into physical remediation of contaminated sites.
“This represents an important transition from understanding the scale of the problem to actively restoring affected environments. Our ecosystem restoration’s significant progress has been made in mangrove restoration.
“Millions of mangrove seedlings have been planted, while local Ogoni youths and technicians have increasingly participated directly in restoring the environment and in environmental monitoring. These initiatives are helping to connect environmental restoration with economic opportunities,” Attah stated.
He, thenked HYPREP for its commitment in carrying out the cleanup and remediation as recommended by the UNEP.
