The Gbenemene of Legbo Kingdom, Chief Anthony Waadah, has urged the Federal Government to launch a full investigation into contract awards and financial management practices by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
Speaking during a community gathering in Rivers State, the traditional ruler voiced strong concerns over how HYPREP has handled both project execution and disbursement of public funds in Ogoniland. He argued that despite the billions allocated, tangible results remain scarce across many impacted communities. He said the people are growing restless as hope fades and living conditions remain poor.
Chief Waadah emphasized that HYPREP’s mission to restore Ogoni’s polluted environment has stalled due to mismanagement, lack of transparency, and failure to prioritize the affected communities. He noted that while officials continue to speak of progress, residents on the ground still suffer from contaminated water, degraded farmlands, and health challenges linked to years of unchecked pollution.
The monarch questioned the process behind contract awards. He called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other relevant bodies to examine who received contracts, the criteria used for selection, and the actual work delivered so far. According to him, many local contractors remain sidelined, while a few external firms handle key projects with minimal oversight.
He also raised concerns over abandoned sites across the region. Despite several groundbreaking ceremonies, Chief Waadah said, most sites show no signs of ongoing activity. He insisted that any genuine remediation effort must place the needs of the people at the center, not the pockets of contractors or middlemen.
Beyond the financial issues, Chief Waadah also criticized the agency’s poor community engagement. He said that many decisions are made without consultation, and local voices are often ignored in planning or implementation. This, he warned, is breeding mistrust and eroding confidence in the cleanup initiative.
To restore credibility, Chief Waadah called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently restructure HYPREP. He urged the President to appoint capable professionals with experience in environmental science, community development, and project accountability. He said the agency’s leadership must reflect the aspirations of the people and act with urgency and integrity.
He noted that the late Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni martyrs fought not only for environmental justice but for dignity, equity, and accountability. Chief Waadah warned that failure to act now could undermine peace and create deeper frustration across communities still waiting for justice.
The monarch pledged that his kingdom stands ready to support any legitimate cleanup effort. However, he made it clear that without transparency, fairness, and results, the people would no longer remain silent.
As the calls for accountability grow louder, all eyes are now on HYPREP. The coming weeks will reveal whether the agency takes real steps to rebuild trust—or continues to fall short of the promise made to the people of Ogoniland.
