The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) has partnered with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to investigate cancer-related ailments in Ogoniland, following the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report’s findings that the people of Ogoni are exposed to carcinogenic contaminants.
This was announced by the Project Coordinator of the HYPREP, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, during the 2025 first quarterly meeting for Stakeholders comprising regulators, asset owners and Civil Society Organisations in Port Harcourt.
According to Professor Zabbey, the project has signed a contract with the International Agency for Research on Cancer to conduct human biometric studies in the area for three years.
The partnership, he said is expected to leverage local expertise and knowledge of the terrain and population dynamics, noting that the study will be domiciled in Rivers State, and the WHO team will meet with critical stakeholders, including the Rivers State Ministry of Environment and local universities.
Zabbey, emphasized the importance of early detection in cancer treatment, highlighting the need for the study to identify potential health issues in the region, noted
He noted that HYPREP is building the Buan Specialist Hospital, which will have a key oncology unit to deal with cancer issues, as well as an infectious disease unit and other units typical of a tertiary health facility, as the hospital will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including the latest MRI technology.
Prof Zabbey noted that the study aimed to investigate the health status of the Ogoni people in relation to cancer, following concerns over exposure to carcinogenic contaminants in the area, adding that the research will generate data and provide solutions to health issues in the region.
He added that the WHO will partner with local researchers, universities, and hospitals to conduct the study.
He said: “So, we have just launched the socioeconomic study of ogoni that will develop a blueprint for a post clean-up socio-economic development of Ogoniland.
“And we have just signed contract with the international agency for research on cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to spend three years in Ogoni to conduct human biometric studies of the area.”
Zabbey said WHO team is expected to arrive in June to finalize logistics arrangements with local participants, emphasizing that the study will last for three years, during which the team will conduct independent research and come up with findings and recommendations to support healthcare management in the region.