Communication Strategies of Hyprep for Environmental Remediation in Ogoniland

The study tends to examine the communication strategies employed by HYPREP for environmental remediation in Ogoniland, giving critical evaluation of the existing communication channels/strategies, the audience awareness level, their attitude towards the programme, as well as the challenges of the communication process towards the implementation of the clean-up programme in Ogoniland. The study adopted the GoalOriented Communication Theory (GOCT), Participatory Communication Theory (PCT) and Stakeholder’s Theory. The study also adopted the survey research design with a multi-stage sampling technique. With a sample size of 384 the said sample was drawn using Krejcie and Morgan sample size determination table. The research instrument used for data collection was a set of questionnaires. Data collected were analyzed using simple percentage with WMS. Findings of the study reveals that Ogoni audience have a high level of awareness of the HYPREP clean-up/ remediation programme in Ogoniland. However, they have a very negative attitude towards the communication plans for the implementation of the clean-up programme. This is traced to the fact that stakeholder’s view are not capture and an audience-development-centred communication approach is not encourage by HYPREP hence, the study recommends that: communication practice should be all inclusive and more of faceto-face (interpersonal communication) as well as regular town hall meetings in other words, there should be media integration approach to audience engagement SMS, social media, podcast, Radio alone cannot be successful in bring audience to participate in a particular development programme. HYPREP should make their activities very open and people oriented so as to enhance an even development in Ogoniland.