By Sandra Kenneth
The Federal Government has formally presented certificates designating the Ogoni Mangrove Wetland as a Ramsar Site of International Importance, placing heightened ecological responsibility on both government institutions and host communities to protect the critical asset.
The formal presentation was made to the President of KAGOTE, Chief Lesi Mao, for onward transmission to the chairmen of the four local government areas encompassed by the designation: Gokana, Khana, Tai, and Eleme.
The ceremony formed part of events marking the tenth anniversary of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Bodo City, Gokana Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, noted that the Ramsar status—officially inscribed in March 2026—elevates the wetland’s global ecological significance while reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to full environmental restoration across Ogoniland.
Receiving the documents, Chief Lesi Mao urged the four council chairmen to move beyond ceremonial celebration and implement actionable conservation strategies. He charged local authorities to enforce strict measures against oil pollution, unauthorized coastal development, and mangrove deforestation.
“This international designation must not remain just a certificate on the wall,” Mao stated. “It must translate into practical local environmental protection, stricter regulatory enforcement, and deeper community ownership of our natural resources.”
The Ramsar listing marks a major milestone in ongoing environmental recovery efforts across the Niger Delta, aligning with HYPREP’s active mangrove replanting and soil remediation programs. Federal officials emphasized that maintaining the prestigious international status requires sustained, multi-stakeholder vigilance to safeguard the ecosystem for future generations.
