The Project Coordination Office (PCO) of the Hydrocarbon Carbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) said it has planted Over 810,726 mangrove seedlings in its first Phase of Mangrove Restoration Project in Ogoniland.
The PCO said it targets to restore 560 hectares of lost mangrove areas destroyed by oil extractive activities in Ogoniland.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Project, noting that the Mangrove restoration project has started earnestly as HYPREP has contracted nine contractors who are currently carrying out the mangrove planting in Bomu, Gokana LGA.
HYPREP noted that the restoration also involves the removal of Nipa palms which are threatening mangrove vegetation in the shorelines.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey noted that Mangroves generally produce nutrients that nourish other organisms within the mangrove system, adjacent and distant habitats through tide-mediated export.
He said the importance of the project stems from the restoration of ecosystem goods and services such as food control, provide habitat for many species including endemics to fish production, carbon storage, recharge the aquifer and nutrient regeneration and export.
“Like every other HYPREP projects, premium has been placed on livelihood and capacity development.
“Last year, the Project trained 90 Ogoni women and youths in mangrove nursery and planting. These beneficiaries who are now referred to as Mangrove Vanguards, were provided catalyst funds with which they have planted seedlings (White, black and red).
” HYPREP contractors are buying off these seedlings from community people thus providing income and livelihoods for them,” he said.