Erosion: Part of Bayelsa at verge of extinction at Obogoro . Community Send SOS to President Buhari, Governor Diri

 By Magens Mac-Ogidi

 

Owing to total neglect by preceding administrations, part of Bayelsa state capital is at the verge of extinction at Obogoro, an ancient town in Yenagoa Local Government area of the state over devastating effects of severe coastal erosion. 

President Muhammadu Buhari

 The scenario has posed the residents sleepless night and perpetual fear arising from the daily negative effects of the erosion menace and landslide, which had displaced hundreds of people in the community.

It is sad to note according to our correspondent who visited the community on Tuesday, the daily continuously destroying of residential buildings, roads, historical landmark, economic trees and other valuables by the menace. 

 Erosion Menace: Obogoro Community in Bayelsa State Capital on Verge of extinction.

 Our correspondent reported with grief on the dreadful effects of the erosion threat, describing the situation as pathetic, shocking and total neglect.

According to our correspondent the entire vicinity of St. John Primary School, Obogoro which he had earlier visited in April 19, 2018 was completely washed into Ekoli River by the menace along with the classroom buildings, headmaster’s and teacher’s  quarters, NYSC lodge, the school field and other valuable properties of the school. 

Governor Douye Diri

Speaking to our correspondent during his visit, the His Highness Okpoebi Righteous Gwegwe, Ogiligba I of Atissa Kingdom (JP), who lost his beautiful house to the erosion threat at Obogoro, described the ravaging effects of the erosion to the community as a great disaster that both the state and federal government as well as intervention agencies should have shown concern before now; not to wait until the community is entirely extinct before arranging for Internal Display Persons (IDPS) camps. 

 

His Highness Okpoebi Righteous Gwegwe (JP) , Ogiligba I of Atissa Kingdom)

 He blamed the massive expansion of erosion site on the community, on the inability of government and intervention agencies to nip the menace in the bud when it had started, despite several appeal for help.

 Gwegwe regretted that all spirited efforts to calling the attention of the state and federal governments and other intervention agencies to tackle the problem proves abortive.

 He used the forum to renew his appeal to the state and federal government, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Programmes (NEWMAP), and others to come to their aid before the whole community has been washed away from the surface of the earth.

One of the buildings of His Highness Okpoebi Righteous Gwegwe, Ogiligba I of Atissa Kingdom washed away yesterday by the ravaging coastal erosion at Obogoro, in Bayelsa state Capital.

 The royal father further implored the state and federal government as well as NDDC to consider it imperative to award a contract for the share protection of Obogoro community in order to alleviate the plight of the people.

He added that as temporary measures to control the water current directly focusing and eroding the shore of the community as if it is excavating a canal, he appeals to the state government and NDDC to open a canal at Obogoro natural Ekoli River opposite the community.

This he believes will go long way to temporarily control the daily erosion menace suffering the community.