Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), yesterday said it has begun restoration of mangroves in the ongoing remediation of the Ogoni environment.
HYPREP disclosed that over 1,416 hectares of mangroves in Ogoni would be restored in compliance with the recommendations of the United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP).
The Project Coordinator, HYPREP, Dr Ferdinand Giadom, who spoke during a workshop on Environmental Remediation, tagged: “Detailed Site Characterisation, Remediation Strategies & Framework Development,” in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said the Project was in the 2021 proposed work plan of the Ministry of Environment.
Giadom said the workshop was to inform key stakeholders on the progress of work so far, adding that HYPREP is focused primarily on three key areas of site assessment – shoreline clean-up, assessment techniques and remediation and how to develop a framework for their implementation.
He informed that the assessed grids are along shorelines, channels, mud flats and degraded mangrove platforms.
He said: “We have commenced the implementation of the UNEP recommendations with regards to mangrove restoration. The Project in the 2021 work plan proposed to carry out Pre-SCAT activities in affected Ogoni coastal communities in Gokana, Khana, Tai and Eleme Local Government Areas.”
Giadom hinted that the SCAT Team has commenced field activities at B-Dere and K-Dere both in Gokana, and assessed a total of 351 grids covering an area of about 1,416 hectares.
We have commenced the implementation of the UNEP recommendations with regards to mangrove restoration.
