Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, the new HYPREP coordinator, was commended by HOMEF, but he must change his ways.
The environmental NGO stated that transparency, focus, and stakeholder inclusion are essential to operations.
Despite funding and labour, HOMEF stated Ogoni cleanup had taken too long.
The Nigerian government created the Hydrocarbons Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP) in 2012 to clean up Ogoni land and towns. When the cleanup began in 2016, the outdated name was replaced with Hydrocarbons Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
New project coordinators have been hired.
HOMEF also suggested regular meetings to discuss accomplishments and goals.
Nnimmo Bassey, HOMEF’s director, said that Zabbey’s intellectual and political background raises stakeholder expectations, making failure unthinkable.
He stated that complex contamination locations must be treated differently and resolutely.
We appreciate the nomination of Prof. Nenibari Zabbey, who has an extensive understanding of the Ogoni ecosystem and has conducted major studies in the Niger Delta.
“This appointment 12 years after the UNEP report should mark a turning point in the lethargic cleanup.”
Bassey added that time is critical because the situation worsens daily.
“While we congratulate Prof. Zabbey on this appointment, we equally take the opportunity to register some key urgent demands and hope that he uses his office to advocate for a comprehensive health and environmental audit of Ogoni land, the entire Niger Delta, and wherever hydrocarbons exploration and exploitation has had negative impacts.”
HOMEF recommends the Project Coordinator prioritise accountability and openness. Professor Zabbey, a biomonitoring and restoration ecology professor at the University of Port Harcourt Department of Fisheries, directs the acclaimed civil society organisation Centre for Environment, Human Rights, and Development (CEHRD).
HOMEF urged the Nigerian government and oil and gas industry to clean up the Niger Delta and halt all pollution, including gas flaring.
