Mkpoikana Udoma


Port Harcourt —

To address the enduring health effects caused by oil contamination in Ogoniland, HYPREP has declared a three-year initiative focused on human health surveillance. This project will be conducted alongside the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, known as IARC.

The study, which begins in July, will focus on investigating cancer-related health risks among Ogoni communities exposed to carcinogenic hydrocarbons, in line with key recommendations from the 2011 United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, report on Ogoniland.

At the inaugural quarterly gathering of regulators and asset owners in Port Harcourt, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, the project coordinator for HYPREP, highlighted this undertaking as a significant step towards environmentally focused health restoration initiatives.

Zabbey mentioned that the research will be conducted independently and will include cooperation with local universities and healthcare organizations in Rivers State.

We’ve recently entered into an agreement with the International Agency for Research on Cancer at the World Health Organization to carry out a human monitoring study over a period of three years in Ogoni.

Remember that UNEP suggested conducting a health study after completing the environmental assessment. Our community has been exposed to carcinogenic hydrocarbons such as benzene and ethylbenzene via their drinking water. While we shouldn’t jump to conclusions, it’s crucial that we start investigating immediately.

As he states, identifying cancer at an early stage is crucial, and this research will offer insights to shape future healthcare policies and systems in Ogoniland.

Zabbey also disclosed that HYPREP is constructing the Ogoni Specialist Hospital as part of the health aspect of the remediation initiative. This facility will feature state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment such as cutting-edge MRI machines.

We have recently come back from Germany following the completion of a factory acceptance test for our new equipment. I am pleased to share that we will be installing the latest MRI technology in the area at Ogoni Hospital. This medical center will accommodate all essential departments typical of a comprehensive healthcare facility, such as gynecology and infectious disease services, tailored specifically to meet the community’s particular requirements.

He stressed that HYPREP’s larger purpose extends further than just environmental cleanup, characterizing the initiative as an exemplar of sustainable development and research-driven rehabilitation.

“What we’re implementing in Ogoni goes beyond remediation; it’s about crafting a model that can be duplicated throughout the Niger Delta region. We aim to generate knowledge that will reshape the socioeconomic environment,” Zabbey emphasized.

The coordinator at HYPREP emphasized the significance of collaborative alliances, ensuring their efforts resonate with UN Sustainable Development Goal 17, focusing on partnerships aimed at achieving specific objectives.

“Even if we have the in-house capacity to drive the project, we must partner with asset owners, regulators, civil society, and state governments. That’s why meetings like this are vital, they help us provide updates, get feedback, and ensure every decision we make is sustainable,” he said.

He confirmed that WHO officials will arrive in Nigeria by mid-July to finalize logistics and begin stakeholder engagements, including meetings with the Rivers State Ministry of Environment and local institutions like the University of Port Harcourt and Rivers State University.

“Local researchers are critical. They understand the terrain and the people. WHO won’t conduct this study in isolation, they’ll collaborate with our universities and hospitals to ensure data integrity and relevance,” Zabbey said.

He finished by guaranteeing all stakeholders transparency and independence throughout the conduct of the study. “We’re setting up the necessary conditions and then withdrawing to let the specialists perform their duties. The outcomes will inform future healthcare strategies for the residents of Ogoni.”