Beyond the Conference Hall: Why HYPREP Made This Weekend Matter for Ogoniland — Abubakar Momoh
Over the weekend, I participated in a high-level retreat of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), where stakeholders reviewed progress and strengthened plans for the next phase of the Ogoni cleanup and restoration programme.
The sessions provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on achievements across environmental remediation, potable water schemes, health interventions, livelihood and skills development, mangrove restoration, and the ongoing construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration.
These discussions reinforced an important lesson: restoring Ogoniland is not only an environmental task, it is a development responsibility that requires strong institutions, accountability, and sustained collaboration across government.
One of the most meaningful moments of the weekend came after the formal retreat sessions.
I joined my colleagues — the Honourable Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal, and the Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu — in accompanying the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. (Obongemem) Ekperikpe Ekpo, to his village in Akwa Ibom State.
The visit was more than a courtesy call. It was a reminder that leadership is not confined to meeting rooms. It is strengthened when leaders engage communities directly and build personal bonds that support effective collaboration.
In a state known for its well-developed road networks, branded streets, and visible infrastructure, the visit reflected a deeper truth: progress is most durable when leaders stand together in purpose and in presence.
For me, the weekend underscored the importance of partnership in national service. As Ogoniland enters its next phase of restoration through HYPREP, our shared focus remains on delivering real outcomes for the people — clean water, improved healthcare, skills and job opportunities, ecosystem recovery, and long-term knowledge systems that will sustain progress.
This experience reaffirmed a simple commitment: that Ogoni’s next chapter will be shaped through cooperation, consistency, and collective responsibility.
Engr Abubakar Momoh FNSE
Hon Minister of Regional Development
