President Bola Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), according to a statement on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The newly reconstituted Governing Council will be chaired by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal. Other members include representatives from environmental NGOs, Niger Delta communities, the Ogoni community, and the nine oil-producing states. The President also appointed four alternate members representing Ogoniland and the Niger Delta.
The Board of Trustees was also reconstituted, with Emmanuel Deeyah reappointed as chairman. Other members represent Ogoni communities, other Niger Delta communities, and environmental NGOs.
This move follows a high-level meeting in January between President Tinubu and key stakeholders from Rivers State including political leaders and Ogoni representatives focused on addressing issues related to the Niger Delta cleanup and political tensions in the region.
International support for HYPREP continues, with the Belgian government reaffirming its commitment to Ogoni environmental restoration during a March visit by the Belgian Ambassador and mangrove expert Prof. Olof Linden. The United Nations has pledged technical assistance for mangrove restoration, climate change mitigation, food security, access to clean water, and public health initiatives in line with HYPREP’s mission.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, emphasized that HYPREP’s work supports key UN objectives, including environmental protection, human rights, and peacebuilding.
