Minister urges HYPREP to uphold accountability in Ogoni clean-up programme

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has charged the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) to strengthen accountability, stressing that the success of the Ogoni Clean-up Programme depends not only on technical remediation but also on transparency, responsible fund management, and measurable impact.

Lawal made the call during a two-day high-level strategic retreat of HYPREP and the Ogoni Trust Fund in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, where he emphasized the need for improved fund mobilization and stronger project monitoring to ensure the Federal Government’s commitments are effectively delivered.

He noted that environmental justice has become a critical governance issue, describing the Ogoni Clean-up Programme as a credibility test for government performance.

According to him, translating long-standing environmental promises into visible outcomes is essential for rebuilding public trust in oil-producing communities ahead of future electoral cycles in the Niger Delta.

The minister added that sustained funding and institutional stability for HYPREP are closely tied to broader national development objectives, warning that unresolved environmental challenges can fuel political unrest and voter apathy.

In his presentation, HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, highlighted achievements in soil and shoreline remediation, mangrove restoration, potable water provision, livelihood programmes, and public health interventions.

He said the initiatives were designed not only to restore degraded ecosystems but also to address socio-economic issues that contribute to political dissatisfaction in oil-bearing communities.

As Nigeria approaches future elections, analysts observe that the Ogoni Clean-up Programme has become a key benchmark for the federal government’s ability to translate policy commitments into grassroots impact, with its outcome likely to shape political narratives, voter confidence, and electoral dynamics across the Niger Delta.