OGONI CLEANUP DON REACH 10 YEARS, BUT GOVERNMENT STILL TALK SAY “WE GO FINISH AM”

For ten years now, Ogoni people for Rivers State don dey wait make environmental restoration work fully address the damage wey oil pollution don cause for the area. As the Ogoni Cleanup mark its 10th anniversary for Bodo City, Federal Government don again assure say President Bola Tinubu serious about completing the project. Environment Minister Balarabe Lawal give the assurance during the anniversary and unveiling of Ogoni Cleanup Monument on September 3, 2026.

OGONI CLEANUP TURNS 10 AS GOVERNMENT RENEWS ITS COMPLETION PROMISE

The Ogoni Cleanup officially start for Bodo waterfront on June 2, 2016, while HYPREP Project Coordination Office later begin work to coordinate the programme. Ten years later, government dey point to progress for environmental remediation, mangrove restoration, water projects, healthcare and livelihood programmes as evidence say the project no dey sleep completely.

But for the satirical corner of this matter, Ogoni calendar fit soon need special category wey dem go call “Anniversary of Government Commitment.” Every few years, commitment go receive fresh microphone, fresh speech and fresh assurance—while residents still dey look towards the environment to see when the whole cleanup story go finally reach its last chapter.

HYPREP DEY SHOW OGONI PROGRESS, BUT THE FINISHING LINE STILL DEY WAIT

HYPREP latest figures show say plenty work don move forward. The agency reported that mangrove restoration had reached about 94 per cent, shoreline remediation 67.1 per cent and Phase 2 land remediation 36.55 per cent, while water facilities, hospitals, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration and livelihood programmes dey progress too.

For May 2026, HYPREP also announced that 30 contaminated sites had been closed out, while investigations continued at 18 other high-risk locations. The development suggests say cleanup no be one-day operation where government go just enter with broom, sweep once and declare environmental victory.

So, while the Federal Government says President Tinubu remains committed to the completion of the Ogoni Cleanup, the real test now na how quickly the remaining work go translate from percentages, promises and anniversary speeches into a fully restored environment wey Ogoni communities fit confidently call home again.

As the matter dey unfold, OGM News Pidgin go dey watch whether this latest commitment go become the final push towards completion—or another anniversary go come meet the project still wearing its “work in progress” uniform. Stay with us for future updates.