March 1, 2025
By Idris Buba
To reaffirmed their commitment to the Ogoni cleanup as well as tackling environmental and socio-economic challenges in the region, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, played host to the Belgian government Ambassador to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt.
The Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt, in company of renowned mangrove expert, Prof. Olof Linden visited HYPREP’s Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey to reassure him of the committment.
The visit was to assess the progress of the Ogoni cleanup exercise and explore areas for further support.
Leenknegt, who was accompanied by the First Secretary to the Belgian Ambassador, Dorien Laewnen, lauded HYPREP’s efforts in environmental restoration and improvement of livelihood in the Niger Delta region, described the initiative as a modern approach to biodiversity conservation and community development.
Prof. Linden, along side a member of the Post-UNEP team, Mike Cowing also visited Bomu, Gokana Local Government Area to inspect HYREP’s mangrove restoration site.
The United Nations, UN, has also pledged support for HYPREP in key areas, as the organisation’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, has said that the UN, its agencies would provide technical support for mangrove restoration, climate change mitigation, food security, access to public health and portable water.
Fall, stated that HYPREP’s work aligned with the UN’s goals of environmental protection, human rights, environmental restoration, access to clean water, public health and peacebuilding.
READ MORE; HYPREP, Hands Over Cheques To 300 Postgraduate Scholarship Recipients From Ogoniland .
In response, HYPREP’s Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, expressed optimism that the increasing local and international interest in the project would further strengthen efforts toward sustainable environmental recovery.
He highlighted that HYREP has planted over 1.3 million mangroves, with shoreline restoration at 38% completion and reaffirmed HYPREP’s commitment to key sustainable development goals
The delegation was briefed on project progress, key milestones, HYPREP’s mangrove restoration manuals and other project documents.
Representatives from the FAO, WHO, and UNDP, as well as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, were present at the visit to HYPREP’s office in Port Harcourt.
