Obogoro community loses over 60 buildings to erosion within a year, on the verge of extinction

The ecological situation in Obogoro community of Bayelsa State is pathetic as not fewer than 60 buildings including the only public primary school and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) lodge have been eroded in the last one year.

The school football pitch, cultural playground, and other historic structures are also being swallowed by the Ikoli River, which is a tributary of the River Nun.

This ugly situation has left many residents homeless and frustrated, putting the community on the verge of extinction.

Mr. Ada Gwegwe, who hails from Obogoro, has been at the forefront of dragging the attention of the government and other relevant organisations to bring respite to the people of the community.

The award-winning football coach turned environmental activist, in an interview with Mangrovepen.ng, described the situation in Obogoro as sad.

He confirmed that “in less than a year, we have lost over 60 buildings and the St. John’s primary school that was built since 1973. 

“We lost a corpers’ lodge, a football field, and the community playground as well. Imagine what could happen in five years if things remain the same.”

He opined that the erosion is more impactful during rainy seasons. “The rains are already here and nothing has been done yet,” Ada expressed with dismay.

Ada lamented that despite endless campaigns to get the attention of both the state and federal government as well as multinational oil companies, no meaningful help has come to the community.

According to him, “We have been able to draw the attention of the Ecological Fund Office (EFO), which is under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), and they sent their experts to inspect the affected areas, and it is yet to yield any results.”

He maintained that “although the Bayelsa State Governor had pronounced a temporary solution three weeks ago, the community has seen nothing.”

Ada pleaded with Governor Douye Diri to match his words with action to reduce the impact of the erosion. 

“Previous administrations promised to help us,” he pointed out, “but nothing happened. We want to believe that the present administration will do something urgently.

“What we want now is action, either a temporary or permanent solution to help avert our suffering.” 

Nonetheless, the Bayelsa state government assured that plans are underway to ameliorate the situation.

A source in the Ministry of Environment, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not mandated to speak, however said that the ministry swung into action in conjunction with both Ministry of Works and Lands immediately after the governor gave the directive. 

“Already three companies have submitted proposals for the project. They have defended the bids before a committee and the project would commence once a company is selected,” the source disclosed.

Mangrovepen.ng equally gathered that the lawmaker representing Yenagoa Constituency I in the state assembly, Hon. Oforji Oboku, built a six-classroom block for Obogoro community, and it was recently commissioned by Governor Diri.

SOURCE: Mangrove Pen

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