HYPREP Finishes First Phase of Mangrove Restoration in Ogoni, Raises Alarm on Re-Pollution

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reported the successful accomplishment of Phase One of its mangrove restoration initiative in Ogoniland, reaching 100 percent completion in both planting and restoration efforts, while also alerting communities to the dangers of re-pollution.

At the fourth-quarter 2025 stakeholders and regulators’ gathering in Port Harcourt, Dr. Damian-Paul Aguiyi, the Director of Technical Services at HYPREP, shared this update.

Aguiyi mentioned that these quarterly meetings are essential for engaging stakeholders, regulators, partners, and asset owners, allowing for a review of progress, ongoing challenges, and areas that need enhancement in project execution.

He noted that remediation actions had seen significant advancements during the last quarter, especially in the clean-up of soil and groundwater.

"The progress in soil and groundwater remediation has been remarkable. We have achieved full completion of Phase One planting and restoration of mangroves. We are currently in the monitoring phase, with several sites being tracked for up to nine months," he stated.

Additionally, he reported that the clean-up along the shorelines is around 77 percent finalized, and access to clean drinking water has been improved across Ogoni communities.

"We have successfully restored full water supply to Ebubu, and reconstruction has begun at the Gwara Waterfall," Aguiyi added.

Regarding infrastructure development, he revealed that essential components for the Ogoni Power Project have been procured and are currently stored at the Wiyaakara substation.

However, Aguiyi expressed worry about the potential for re-pollution, marking it as HYPREP’s most critical challenge.

"Our primary concern is that we do not want to wake up one morning to find that the areas we have restored using resources from the Ogoni people have been re-polluted by factors beyond our control," he cautioned.

He emphasized that ongoing community education and alternative livelihood initiatives have played a role in curbing illegal activities in the area.

"There have been virtually no incidents of artisanal refining in Ogoniland over the past two to three years, thanks to continuous community engagement and the provision of alternative livelihoods," he remarked.

Aguiyi reaffirmed HYPREP's willingness to collaborate with companies operating in Ogoniland, emphasizing that beneficial proposals aligned with the project’s goals would be considered.

He added that recommendations from recent reports are already in the process of being implemented, highlighting HYPREP’s dedication to transparency, environmental restoration, and the betterment of livelihoods within Ogoniland.