Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to completing the environmental remediation and restoration of Ogoniland in Rivers State, marking the 10th anniversary of the Ogoni Cleanup Project with the launch of Phase II shoreline remediation.
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, gave the assurance during the unveiling of the Ogoni Cleanup Monument in Bodo City, Gokana Local Government Area, saying President Bola Tinubu remains committed to ensuring the successful completion of the decades-long environmental restoration programme.
Lawal described the monument as a lasting symbol of the Federal Government’s commitment to the people of Ogoniland, recalling that the cleanup project was officially inaugurated at the same location 10 years ago.
He disclosed that President Tinubu directed the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) to accelerate work on the remediation programme immediately after assuming office.
According to the minister, significant progress has been recorded across several sectors, including environmental restoration, public health, infrastructure development and potable water supply.
Lawal said the Centre of Excellence is expected to attract international research partnerships and position Ogoniland as a global hub for environmental restoration studies.
The minister further disclosed that four local government areas in Ogoniland recently secured Ramsar accreditation, an international recognition for wetland conservation that could attract additional global funding for environmental protection.
Lawal officially flagged off the second phase of shoreline cleanup, noting that remediation of simple and medium-risk polluted sites had largely been completed, allowing work to begin on more complex locations.
HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, described the Ogoni Cleanup as the world’s largest oil pollution remediation project, adding that its mangrove restoration programme is the largest restoration of oil-degraded mangroves globally.
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Hope Ajayi 
