FG, HYPREP, Ogoni Trust Fund Intensify Efforts to Accelerate Ogoni Environmental Remediation

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By Fatima Saka

A two-day joint strategic retreat of the Governing Council (GC) of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Ogoni Trust Fund Incorporated has set a renewed governance, funding and accountability framework aimed at fast-tracking the long-delayed clean-up of oil-impacted communities in Ogoniland.

The high-level retreat, held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, focused on repositioning HYPREP to more effectively deliver its mandate as outlined in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoni Environment, amid growing calls for tangible environmental and livelihood outcomes in the Niger Delta.

In a strong signal of federal backing, five ministers attended the retreat in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Presidential Priority 3, Deliverable 3, which targets the acceleration of the Ogoni Clean-up Programme. They include the Minister of Environment and Chairman of HYPREP Governing Council, Balarabe Abbas Lawal; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh; the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo; and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, represented by Dr Enene Xynex Ambah.

Also in attendance were representatives of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and joint venture partners TotalEnergies and Oando, alongside the Chairman of the Ogoni Trust Fund BoT, Rt. Hon. Emma Deeyah; HYPREP Project Coordinator and Secretary of the GC, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey; the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Alhaji Usman Iya Abbas; the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr Mahmud Kambari; and members of both the GC and BoT.

With the theme “Strategic Governance for Sustainable Remediation of Oil-Impacted Environment,” the retreat provided a platform for an extensive review of HYPREP’s performance, policy gaps, funding challenges and inter-stakeholder coordination, which have been identified as critical bottlenecks in the clean-up process.

Discussions centred on strengthening governance structures, improving policy development, diversifying funding sources, enhancing accountability mechanisms and deepening collaboration among federal agencies, oil companies and host communities.

Addressing participants, Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the Ogoni Clean-up Programme, urging the GC and BoT to intensify efforts in fund mobilisation and project oversight. He stressed that improved collaboration among stakeholders was key to delivering measurable results on the ground and called on the Project to leverage renewed ministerial support for stronger government interventions.

Similar commitments were echoed by the Ministers of Budget and Economic Planning, Regional Development, and Petroleum, who commended HYPREP’s progress while advocating alternative and sustainable funding models to ensure continuity of the clean-up.

In a notable intervention, BoT Chairman Emma Deeyah proposed that HYPREP be made a full-fledged government agency to guarantee institutional stability and long-term sustainability.

He also urged the development of a comprehensive implementation roadmap to guide project delivery and performance tracking.

Speaking on behalf of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, joint venture operator, Mr Igo Weli reiterated the company’s commitment to the success of the Ogoni Clean-up Programme, while calling for prudent and transparent use of funds.

Presenting the Project Status Report, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey outlined key milestones recorded by HYPREP, including soil and shoreline remediation, mangrove restoration, potable water provision, livelihood support, public health interventions and special projects such as the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration and the Ogoni Power Project.

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Technical sessions addressed policy development, performance evaluation, leadership, crisis management, governance roles and fundraising, while breakout groups examined operational challenges and opportunities facing the Project.

Outcomes from the retreat are expected to shape future policy directions, strengthen inter-governmental engagement and accelerate implementation of the Ogoni Clean-up Programme, while also providing a potential blueprint for environmental remediation efforts in other polluted regions of Nigeria.