Residents of Ogoniland fishing communities say oil pollution continues to affect their waterways and seafood, even as the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) continues its clean-up operations.

Fisherfolk from Gbee, K-Dere, and Nweemuu communities raised the concerns during a multi-stakeholder dialogue held Wednesday in Kpor, the headquarters of Gokana Local Government Area. The event, themed “Restoring Rivers, Reviving Livelihoods, Renewing Lives,” brought together community members, HYPREP representatives, academics from the University of Port Harcourt, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, civil society groups, women’s organizations, and youth leaders.

Community leaders Chief Nadabel John, Chief Emmanuel Pii, and Madam Grace Namon emphasized that their livelihoods remain under threat.

“Our farmlands, rivers, and vegetation are still polluted,” one speaker said. “When we catch fish or pick periwinkles, there is still a strong smell of crude oil. This is what our families eat every day.”

Anuoluwapo Adelakun, convener of the dialogue and investigative journalist with the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting, said the meeting aimed to bridge the gap between official clean-up reports and residents’ lived experiences.

She cited independent research in partnership with the University of Port Harcourt showing that water sediments in some Ogoni communities still contain dangerous levels of heavy metals, including nickel, which has been linked to cancer.

“The research revealed contamination remains in the water, sediments, and aquatic life,” Adelakun said. “Fish species such as tilapia were found to have high concentrations of heavy metals, posing serious health risks.”

Samples were collected from Bodo, K-Dere, Gbee, and Mogho, where residents rely heavily on fishing. “People continue to eat fish and periwinkles from these waters,” she said. “Prolonged exposure to these toxins could lead to severe illnesses, particularly in children.”

Although HYPREP has reported progress in mangrove restoration and shoreline remediation, many households still depend on contaminated seafood for survival. Adelakun warned that children consuming these fish remain at high risk of long-term health problems, including cancer.

Responding to the concerns, HYPREP Technical Assistant Peter Lenu clarified that periwinkles cannot survive in areas heavily saturated with crude oil, challenging claims that they are being harvested from such zones.

Lenu stressed that the clean-up is a long-term intervention expected to last 25 to 30 years, in line with United Nations Environment Programme recommendations. He also noted that Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) levels measured at one location had dropped to 277.5 mg/kg, down from baseline levels of over 20,000 mg/kg, representing roughly 98% remediation in that area.

HYPREP is employing an Enhanced Natural Attenuation approach, allowing the environment to recover gradually. Second-phase shoreline clean-up contracts have been awarded in five communities, with work expected to start before the end of the first quarter of 2026.

Some contamination in farming-focused Nweemuu may be linked to fertilizer and pesticide runoff. HYPREP is also collaborating with the World Health Organization on a comprehensive health impact study to assess the long-term effects of oil pollution on Ogoni residents.

For mangrove restoration, the first phase in Bomu has covered 560 hectares, with over 1.5 million seedlings planted. Additional areas will be addressed in subsequent phases as they are certified clean by regulators.