A confidential cache of U.N. documents has revealed that efforts to clean up oil spills in Nigeria’s Niger Delta have been riddled with failures and allegations of corruption, casting a shadow over a $1 billion restoration project launched to address decades of environmental damage.
The cleanup, overseen by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (Hyprep), was intended to restore polluted areas, particularly Ogoniland, after thousands of oil spills since the 1950s turned the region into a symbol of environmental devastation. Instead, the initiative has been described by U.N. officials as a “total failure.”
Investigations found that Hyprep awarded cleanup contracts to companies with no relevant experience, including construction firms and general merchants. A 2022 U.N. review revealed that 21 out of 41 contractors were unqualified. Soil tests were sent to under-equipped laboratories, with some results later declared unreliable.
Auditors tasked with verifying project progress faced obstruction, with internal audit teams reportedly “demonized” and physically prevented from completing their work. U.N. documents suggest that many cleanup companies were owned by politicians, raising concerns of nepotism and profiteering.
Environmental and Human Costs
Despite promises of restoration, significant areas remain contaminated. In one case near Port Harcourt, a site listed for cleanup by the U.N. was left barren and unusable, with petroleum levels far exceeding health standards. Recent oil spills in communities like Ogboinbiri in Bayelsa State have exacerbated hardships, leaving locals without clean water, viable farmland, or fish stocks.
Farmer Timipre Bridget lamented the impact of repeated spills, stating, “We have not harvested anything. There is now no way to survive.”
Former Nigerian Environment Minister Sharon Ikeazor attempted to address the systemic issues, removing Hyprep’s acting chief in 2022 amid warnings of malpractice. However, she was replaced after just two months, and her reforms were halted. Hyprep’s former head, Philip Shekwolo, denied allegations of misconduct and defended the cleanup’s progress, despite mounting evidence to the contrary.
Current Hyprep director Nenibarini Zabbey insists that reforms have been implemented, with tighter contractor monitoring and improved laboratory standards. However, critics argue that progress remains inadequate, with systemic corruption undermining trust in the project.
U.N. Withdraws from Cleanup Effort
The U.N. Environment Programme officially ended its involvement in the project last year, citing the conclusion of its consultancy role. However, sources close to the initiative suggest the decision was driven by frustration over corruption and the lack of accountability.
As oil spills continue to plague the region, the failure of the cleanup project underscores the urgent need for transparency, oversight, and competent leadership to address one of the world’s most severe environmental crises.