In accordance with recommendations from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has officially commenced a health impact assessment study focused on the residents of Ogoni. The study aims to evaluate the health effects of hydrocarbon pollution on the local population.
The human biomonitoring component of the study is scheduled to span three years and will be conducted by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
During the flag-off ceremony, HYPREP Project Coordinator Professor Neenibarini Zabbey assured stakeholders of a comprehensive and independent assessment.
A representative from UNEP and team member, Mike Cowing, emphasized the importance of the study, stating, “This is a vital step toward improving public health not only in Ogoni but across the Niger Delta.”
Adding to the significance of the initiative, IARC team lead Joachim Schuz highlighted that one of the primary objectives is to determine the extent of hydrocarbon accumulation among Ogoni residents.
The study will involve collecting approximately four thousand samples, evenly distributed across the four local government areas of Ogoni, with particular attention to pollution hotspots. The findings are expected to inform future remediation efforts and health policies in the region.
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