Ogoni Cleanup Enters New Phase as Momoh, Environment Ministry, Key Ministers Review HYPREP Progress(Photos)
From left to right Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, FNSE,Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal,Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu
The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to the cleanup and restoration of Ogoniland as key ministers and stakeholders converged in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, for a high-level retreat of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), held under the theme strategic governance for sustainable remediation of oil-impacted environment.
The retreat brought together members of the Governing Council, Board of Trustees, and senior government officials to review progress and align on the next phase of implementation under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Environment.
The Honourable Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, FNSE, attended the retreat alongside the Honourable Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abbas Lawal; the Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; and the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources ( Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Presenting the project update, HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, outlined progress across environmental remediation, potable water projects, healthcare interventions, livelihood programmes, and community engagement initiatives in Ogoniland.
Speaking at the retreat, Engr. Momoh commended the Ministry of Environment for its leadership and policy support, and praised HYPREP for what he described as encouraging progress in the cleanup exercise.
He urged that a clear proposal and implementation framework be developed from the retreat’s deliberations to translate discussions into structured action plans, timelines, and accountability mechanisms for the next phase of work.
Other ministers and stakeholders at the retreat also emphasized the importance of inter-ministerial coordination, sustained funding discipline, and transparent delivery to ensure that the benefits of the Ogoni cleanup are felt directly by affected communities.
The retreat forms part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that the Ogoni cleanup remains results-driven, transparent, and aligned with long-term environmental and community restoration goals.
By Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah
Media Aide to the Honourable Minister of Regional Development
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