Tinubu committed to completing Ogoni cleanup – FG

A monument unveiled in Bodo City, Rivers State, now stands as the federal government’s symbol of its promise to restore Ogoniland, Environment Minister Balarabe Lawal said as the Ogoni Cleanup project marked its 10th anniversary.

Lawal said President Bola Tinubu remained committed to completing the restoration of the environmentally damaged region. He said Tinubu issued a direct order after taking office to speed up the work being carried out under the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project.

“Ten years ago in this very place, the flag-off of the Ogoni cleanup took place. Today, we return to affirm that commitment. The monument stands as a permanent reminder of a promise made and a promise kept,” Lawal said.

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Ten years ago in this very place, the flag-off of the Ogoni cleanup took place. Today, we return to affirm that commitment. The monument stands as a permanent reminder of a promise made and a promise kept.

The minister pointed to the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, a specialist hostel, a cottage hospital and the Ogoni Power Project as examples of physical development. He also cited work on soil and groundwater remediation, mangrove restoration, public health interventions and potable water.

Lawal described the return of fish, periwinkles, crabs and shrimps to local waterways as evidence of ecosystem recovery and said it was important for community livelihoods. Four local government areas recently received Ramsar accreditation certificates, an international designation for wetland conservation that he said could help attract global funding.

The government has completed simple and medium-impact remediation sites and is moving toward complex sites alongside the second phase of shoreline cleanup. Lawal urged local stakeholders to maintain communication with HYPREP rather than pursue divisive actions. HYPREP coordinator Nenibarini Zabbey described the project as the world’s largest oil remediation effort and its mangrove restoration as the largest restoration of oil-degraded mangroves globally.

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One of the most important developments is the evidence of ecosystem recovery. The fish, periwinkles, crabs, and shrimps are back. This is vital for the local economy and community livelihoods.