HYPREP Initiates Cleanup of High-Risk Sites in Ogoniland.

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has initiated plans to clean up Nsisioken, one of the most polluted sites in Ogoniland, as part of its commitment to restore and remediate Ogoni communities affected by crude oil pollution.

Nsisioken, located in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, was identified by UNEP as having benzene levels in the groundwater 900 times above WHO standards, leading to severe contamination of both soil and groundwater.

During an inspection of the site with German environmental remediation firm Sensatec GMBH, HYPREP Project Coordinator Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey noted that HYPREP has identified 15 high-risk complex sites, with some requiring reclassification due to changing environmental conditions.

Prof. Zabbey emphasized that understanding the current environmental conditions is crucial, as it involves assessing the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of each site. He stated, “Nsisioken in Eleme is one of the high-risk complex sites that HYPREP is planning to clean. According to the UNEP report, Nsisioken has benzene concentrations 900 times above permissible limits, contaminating both the soil and groundwater.”

He highlighted the residential nature of the area, with contamination present under homes, community artifacts, shrines, churches, and schools, necessitating high safety precautions. The visit by Sensatec aimed to conduct a reconnaissance survey, providing firsthand insight into the site’s conditions and enabling the development of a robust proposal for site characterization.

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Prof. Zabbey explained that this process would yield vital data on the vertical and horizontal spread of contamination, hydraulic conductivity, flow dynamics, and overall contamination levels, aiding in effective cleanup planning. He noted, “When spills occur, oil percolates and settles on the groundwater, with soluble components dissolving and insoluble components continuing to contaminate the groundwater.”

Harry Ylikangas, Head of Africa Operations for Sensatec GMBH, mentioned that since 2005, the company has specialized in treating and remediating hydrocarbon-contaminated sites, with a track record of over 500 successful projects, including some even more complex than Nsisioken.