King Appolus Chu Voices Concerns Over HYPREP Project Implementation

Mary Nnah

In a crucial meeting with the Minister of Environment, Hon. Balarabe Abbas Lawal, on August 20, 2024, HRH King Appolus Chu, the revered leader of Egbere Emere Okori in Eleme, Rivers State, voiced his concerns and suggestions regarding the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) activities in his kingdom.

The discussion aimed to address the community’s dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the remediation process and explore ways to enhance the project’s effectiveness. King Chu, accompanied by his esteemed chiefs, presented a comprehensive overview of the community’s grievances and proposed solutions.

The monarch’s proactive approach demonstrated the kingdom’s commitment to environmental conservation and the well-being of its people. The kingdom is dedicated to finding solutions that balance environmental needs with community concerns.

The HYPREP project, a flagship initiative of the federal government, seeks to mitigate the devastating effects of oil pollution in affected communities. While the project has shown promise, its implementation has faced challenges.

King Chu’s engagement with the Minister underscored the importance of community involvement and feedback in ensuring the project’s success. The meeting was described as productive and deliberate, marking a significant milestone in the kingdom’s efforts to collaborate with the federal government.

The discussion paved the way for further dialogue and potential resolutions, fostering hope and optimism among the community. The kingdom eagerly awaits tangible progress, and King Chu’s leadership and advocacy have ignited a beacon of hope for a more effective and community-focused approach to environmental remediation.

In a separate development, a letter dated August 15, 2024, from Professor Paul C. Ananaba SAN & Co., a law chamber in Port Harcourt, addressed to the Honourable Minister, highlighted issues with HYPREP’s operations in Ogale. The letter, signed by G. A Ifeanacho Esq., stated that “HYPREP has been operating in Ogale Community as part of the Federal Government’s effort to remediate lands affected by oil spill and shore up the environment in line with the UNEP report on Ogoni land, since 2015.”

However, their activities have adversely affected the community and HRH King Appolus Chu’s lands. The letter raised concerns about HYPREP’s failure to properly reinforce excavated points, which poses a danger to buildings and lives. “Our Client demands more than just back-filling, since back-filling alone would leave the land porous, saddling him with additional expenses for proper reinforcement,” the letter stated.

Furthermore, the letter questioned the necessity of HYPREP’s activities on HRH King Appolus Chu’s lands, given the absence of oil spills. “If it is remediation of affected soil, that isn’t necessary because his soil is not affected by any spill,” the letter noted.

The letter also demanded that HYPREP disclose their project plans, procedure, scope, hazards, control measures, and duration. “Our Client seeks to know exactly what sort of project HYPREP intends to carry out on his land in this current Phase Two of its project,” the letter stated.

Additionally, the letter expressed concerns about the impact of HYPREP’s activities on the community’s lands, which have become hardened and infertile. “The land became hardened as stone, and nothing has grown on it in the past seven years, thereby denying Our Client and his people use of their land,” the letter stated.

The letter concluded by emphasising HRH King Appolus Chu’s commitment to finding a resolution and his willingness to pursue legal action if necessary. “We count on your good office to see to the demands of Our Client before further continuation of your project,” the letter stated.

As the kingdom eagerly awaits tangible progress, King Chu’s leadership and advocacy have ignited a beacon of hope for a more effective and community-focused approach to environmental remediation. The Egbere Emere Okori community remains steadfast in its commitment to environmental justice, and their voices will continue to shape the future of the HYPREP project.