By Fatima Saka
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has identified ecotourism, climate finance and carbon stock assessment as emerging opportunities for sustainable economic development in Ogoniland, following the designation of its mangrove wetlands as a Ramsar Site of international importance.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, said the new opportunities could provide alternative sources of income for local communities while protecting restored mangrove ecosystems from unsustainable exploitation.
Zabbey spoke in Port Harcourt when a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from across Nigeria visited the project to assess its achievements and explore areas of collaboration.
He stressed the need for stakeholders to preserve the ecological character of the Ogoni mangrove wetlands, noting that the Ramsar designation placed greater responsibility on government, communities and development partners to protect the ecosystem.
According to him, investment in ecotourism could create economic opportunities for residents without depending solely on the exploitation of natural resources.
He called on civil society groups to support community sensitisation on sustainable mangrove harvesting, responsible fishing practices and campaigns against illegal artisanal refining to prevent renewed environmental pollution.
Zabbey noted that the return of aquatic organisms, including different species of crabs, to restored water bodies indicated signs of ecological recovery, but warned that sustaining the gains required collective responsibility.
He also advocated a whole-of-society approach to developing sustainable interventions, including carbon stock assessment, climate finance and livelihood diversification.
The HYPREP coordinator expressed confidence that stronger partnerships with CSOs would deepen community participation, promote environmental stewardship and sustain the benefits of the cleanup programme.
Earlier, the coalition commended HYPREP for its achievements in mangrove restoration, shoreline cleanup, potable water provision, public health interventions and increased participation of women in the project.
Speaking on behalf of the groups, Tolese Olatinwo, Consultant to CORDAID, said the visit was particularly encouraging because the CORDAID Strategic Partnership had previously advocated environmental restoration, alternative livelihoods and community participation in the Ogoni cleanup.
He recalled that the partnership also campaigned for the release of funds allocated to HYPREP, expressing satisfaction with the projects and interventions observed during the assessment.
Olatinwo said the coalition would review its previous advocacy scorecard and develop fresh objectives to support the next phase of the cleanup programme.
Similarly, Dr Emem Okon, Executive Director of the Kabetkache Centre for Women Development and member of the Strategic Partnership, expressed satisfaction with the level of women’s inclusion and livelihood interventions recorded by HYPREP.
She recalled that her organisation had previously advocated greater participation of women and conducted a livelihood needs assessment to identify their economic needs.
Okon said the coalition would develop a new pathway of change, focusing on further collaboration, community sensitisation and advocacy against activities capable of undermining environmental restoration.
The delegation visited the K-Dere Water Facility, Ogoni Specialist Hospital and the mangrove restoration site in Bomu, where members participated in symbolic mangrove planting.
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Earlier, Zabbey presented a detailed project status briefing, highlighting achievements and interventions across HYPREP’s thematic areas.
The CORDAID Strategic Partnership is a coalition of civil society organisations involved in advocacy on environmental issues, good governance and institutional development, with a longstanding commitment to the full implementation of the Ogoni cleanup programme.
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