Nigerian lawmakers call for more funding for Ogoni cleanup

The House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities has called for increased funding to ensure the completion of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoniland, Rivers State. During a two-day oversight visit to project sites, Committee Chairman Hon. Dumnamene Dekor noted that initial funds served as a take-off grant and that more capital is required to address complex remediation sites.

Decor emphasized that those responsible for the pollution should continue to provide financial support for the restoration efforts. He also mentioned that the committee is initiating a bill to expand cleanup operations to other oil-polluted communities throughout the Niger Delta region.

In addition to environmental remediation, the committee assessed HYPREP’s interventions in healthcare and youth empowerment. Lawmakers expressed satisfaction with upgraded facilities, such as a solar-powered primary healthcare centre in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area. However, the committee also pledged to intervene in local disputes where community members have restricted access to contaminated sites, which has hindered efforts to clean underground water.