By Fatima Saka
Port Harcourt – The Federal Government’s renewed commitment to the Ogoni cleanup has sparked fresh momentum in the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recommendations, with the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) announcing major progress on key projects, including the near completion of the Centre of Excellence for Environment Restoration (CEER).
Speaking at the opening of a three-day colloquium in Port Harcourt, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, said the event marks a critical milestone in operationalising the CEER and ensuring its long-term sustainability through robust stakeholder engagement.
He revealed that the colloquium followed the approval of recommendations by the Prof. Don Baridam-led 14-man Technical Planning Committee for the CEER, which was endorsed by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, particularly for the establishment of a directorate to oversee the Centre.
“The decision of the Federal Government to make the Ogoni cleanup a national priority under the leadership of the Minister of Environment has brought renewed hope to the Project,” Prof. Zabbey said. “Implementation across all components of the cleanup has accelerated significantly since 2023.”
On the state of the project, the HYPREP Coordinator noted that implementation is advancing across all thematic areas, including remediation of impacted sites, potable water provision, public health, sustainable livelihoods, shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration, and infrastructure projects such as the CEER and Ogoni Power Project.
He disclosed that the CEER is now 92% complete, while the Buan Cottage Hospital is at 98% completion, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to timely delivery.
“When operational, the CEER will serve as an international hub for innovative research and training in environmental restoration,” he added. “It will create jobs, develop local capacity, and position Nigeria as a global leader in environmental remediation and policy innovation.”
According to Zabbey, the Centre will feature advanced laboratories, academic programmes, technical certification courses, and policy platforms, designed to attract international scholars, industry experts, and development partners to collaborate on solutions for oil pollution and climate resilience.
In their goodwill messages, the Vice Chancellors of Rivers State University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Opibi, and the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmon, alongside representatives from the Dutch Embassy and Post-UNEP, commended HYPREP for its foresight and pledged institutional support toward the Centre’s success.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Kirk Semple, Director of International Research at Lancaster University, proposed sustainable models for CEER’s operationalisation through strong partnerships among HYPREP, government, and international development agencies.
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The colloquium — facilitated by Prof. B.B. Fakae, Prof. Etela Ebisimi, and Chris Newton — brings together academics, international experts, government agencies, and civil society for technical sessions on sustainability frameworks, partnership building, community engagement, research collaboration, and eco-innovation.
Prof. Zabbey expressed optimism that the outcomes of the event will guide the CEER’s strategic direction and operational framework, ensuring its long-term impact and legacy as a national pride for environmental restoration in the Niger Delta.
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