By Ken Asinobi
The Federal Government’s efforts to restore the polluted environment of Ogoniland have received global recognition following the designation of the Ogoni mangrove wetland as a Ramsar Site of International Importance.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) announced that the international recognition was granted by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands after assessing the ecological value of the area.
Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday,, said the recognition highlights the importance of ongoing work to restore mangrove forests that were damaged by years of oil pollution in Ogoni communities.
According to him, the wetland, which covers more than 31,700 hectares, consists of islands, tidal creeks, mudflats and mangrove forests that support different species of wildlife including fish, shellfish, crocodiles, turtles and the endangered grey parrot.
He explained that the wetlands also provide important environmental benefits such as fisheries production, flood control, water purification and carbon storage.
Zabbey noted that the designation followed a process that began in 2024 when HYPREP submitted a memorandum to the National Council on Environment seeking support to list the Ogoni wetlands under the Ramsar Convention.
After the council’s approval, the Minister of Environment and Chairman of HYPREP Governing Council, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, formally wrote to the Ramsar Convention Secretariat requesting the international recognition.
He said the designation fulfils an important recommendation in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Environmental Assessment Report on Ogoniland and marks another milestone in implementing the report.
The Project Coordinator added that the recognition would strengthen conservation efforts, support local livelihoods and attract international attention to the Ogoni environment.
He also called on communities and other stakeholders to support the protection of the wetlands as HYPREP prepares to introduce a sustainable management plan for the area.
