Port Harcourt, Nigeria — The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has initiated a unique conservation strategy in its Ogoni cleanup efforts, distributing clean energy cooking stoves to residents to protect newly restored mangrove forests from destruction. The move addresses the crucial challenge of local communities relying on mangrove wood as their primary fuel source.
The mangrove restoration project, a central part of the oil spill clean-up recommended by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), is essential for restoring the biodiversity ecosystem destroyed by years of oil exploration in Ogoniland. However, HYPREP fears that locals cutting the trees for firewood could jeopardize the project’s success.
Pilot Scheme Launched in Gokana
As a preventive measure, HYPREP presented the clean energy cooking stoves to 100 residents across eight communities in Gokana, one of the four local government areas in Ogoni. The stoves are intended to serve as a sustainable alternative to wood fuel.
HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, represented by the agency’s legal adviser, Ichibor Joseph, described the distribution as a pilot scheme. “We’re test-running this project to see how best stoves can replace wood and see how, moving forward, whether we can adopt this or look for better alternatives,” he explained, confirming the measure is aimed at maintaining the restoration project.
Uche Izuchukwu, HYPREP’s Mangrove Restoration Officer, detailed the threat the project faces. “Even though some of our mangroves have started developing, we noticed the natural mangroves around them, people going there to cut them and use them as firewood,” he said, emphasizing that the clean stove distribution is crucial for conservation and sustainability.
Health Benefits Hailed by Community
Recipients of the clean energy stoves expressed profound gratitude, highlighting the unexpected health benefits. Lezi Lene, a beneficiary, noted the improved living conditions the stoves would bring.
“I am very happy because we have been using firewood to cook and the thing is really affecting us, especially our grandmothers, based on their eye issues. So using this stove will help improve their eye sight,” Lene said.
In separate news, HYPREP has also commenced verification exercises for compensation beneficiaries affected by the Ogoni Power project. The verification took place on Thursday at the HYPREP liaison office in Gokana.
