In 2021, a satellite captured images of extensive barren land in the Niger Delta near Port Harcourt, an area listed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for cleanup efforts aimed at restoring the region to its former agricultural state. Unfortunately, rather than being revitalized, the land resembled a desolate “moonscape,” rendered unfit for agriculture due to a lack of effective remediation, as highlighted in various U.N. records.
Numerous undisclosed investigations, emails, and communications between U.N. officials and Nigerian ministers reveal a concerning pattern of failure regarding these cleanup efforts. The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (Hyprep), tasked with the cleanup, reportedly chose contractors lacking necessary expertise. Inspectors were barred from verifying that tasks were completed correctly, and soil samples were tested in labs without adequate facilities for the appropriate evaluations, according to a U.N. review.
Moreover, it was noted that many cleanup companies were linked to political figures, a viewpoint acknowledged by both U.N. officials and former Nigerian environmental ministers. This systemic issue raises significant concerns about the integrity and effectiveness of the cleanup initiatives.
Since oil production began in the Niger Delta in the 1950s, the region has experienced thousands of oil spills, with reports indicating that local communities continue to use contaminated water for various daily activities. Recent incidents continue to remind us that spills are still a pressing issue; for instance, the Ogboinbiri community in Bayelsa state endured its fourth spill in just three months, impacting agricultural land and local water resources. A farmer from the area indicated that their means of survival had been severely compromised.
After a comprehensive U.N. pollution assessment in 2011, oil companies, including Shell, the country’s largest private oil entity, committed to a $1 billion cleanup fund specifically for the severely affected Ogoniland. However, the U.N.’s role shifted to an advisory capacity, leaving the Nigerian government in charge of fund allocation and management.
A confidential assessment carried out in the previous year by U.N. scientists indicated that the previously mentioned site near Port Harcourt exhibited a “complete absence of topsoil,” with dangerously high levels of petroleum far exceeding safety thresholds set by Nigerian health regulations. Following this assessment, the responsible cleanup company faced contract termination, as confirmed by Hyprep’s current director.
Philip Shekwolo, who was leading operations when the contract was granted, strongly denied the allegations of mismanagement and described them as unfounded accusations. However, U.N. officials had been raising flags about the project since Shekwolo’s tenure as acting chief.
A review by the U.N. in January 2022 indicated that less than half of the contracted companies had adequate experience for the task at hand. It was highlighted that they were essentially given a “blank check” for their work, with the U.N. noting a direct correlation between the incompetence of the contractors and unsuccessful cleanup efforts.
Nigerian regulators have since certified a significant number of sites as cleaned, but concerns over the cleaning process persist. Internal discussions revealed that some laboratories affiliated with Hyprep were inadequately equipped for the tests they undertook, and a U.K. lab used frequently by Hyprep acknowledged shortcomings in its testing protocol and faced suspension twice due to these failures.
In response to growing concerns, Hyprep claimed that it has improved its oversight of contractors and that laboratories are now subject to frequent checks. However, a 2021 U.N. review indicated that spending by Hyprep was not adequately monitored, with internal auditors labeled as “the enemy” for performing their duties. The investigation even noted that previous leadership obstructed financial oversight processes.
Amid these challenges, Sharon Ikeazor, a former environment minister, expressed her concerns regarding the qualification of the cleanup firms. After a confidential warning from a senior U.N. official about potential corruption in contract assignments, she acted to replace Shekwolo, citing conflicts of interest. Following her actions, she was swiftly reinstated, and Shekwolo was rehired just two months later, suggesting a disturbing cycle of political influence overriding accountability.
The official involvement of the U.N. Environment Programme in the cleanup operations concluded last year, attributed to the completion of their consultancy, but sources familiar with the situation indicated that corruption frustrations played a significant role in this decision. Hyprep’s director insisted that the U.N. merely shifted its focus and objectives.
This series of events illustrates the ongoing struggle against corruption, mismanagement, and the environment’s degradation in the Niger Delta, posing serious questions about the future of both the local ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.
