Sustaining the Gains of HYPREP Remediation in Ogoni: A Community Focus

Abstract

Since the 2016 flagged-off of soil remediation in Ogoni, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has concluded work in at least sixteen (16) remediation sites across the four local government areas of Eleme, Gokana, Khana and Tai. This is part of twenty-one (21) Lots in phase 1 batch 1 of the Project work performance status published in December 2021. Thus, the efforts of Government in addressing the environmental issues in Ogoniland and other parts of the Niger Delta in general should be sustainable. What becomes of the gains of HYPREP soil remediation after the exercise is of concern to this paper. Using the Stakeholders theory, the study argues that preservation of a healthy environment and ecological balance is everybody’s concern. To promote environmental awareness among the people, the need for active and sustainable involvement of the various stakeholders is important to sustainable environmental remediation. These stakeholders are the host and impacted communities, public, media, environmental groups, corporations and the government. The study uses both primary and secondary sources of data based on a qualitative research design in drawing conclusion that community engagement must be sustained in a manner that outlived the remediation project/clean-up. The study recommends mass sensitization and mobilization of the locals on the aftermaths of the project, what to expect and such friendly environmental disposition which may engender a sustainable healthy environmental and ecological balance in Ogoniland and beyond.