By Eunice Nnachi, Yenagoa
Residents of Obogoro in Bayelsa State woke up to a heavy downpour on Tuesday, following a severe storm on Monday night, further intensifying the community’s long-standing struggle with coastline erosion.
Despite years of pleas for intervention, the government’s response has been perceived as inadequate, leaving residents feeling abandoned.
The community has issued a desperate appeal to the Bayelsa State government for immediate assistance to prevent their homeland from disappearing.
Additionally, they have called on illegal dredgers to cease their activities, which are believed to contribute to the erosion.
A resident who gave his name as Pastor Godfrey Omuta in a telephone interview said, “there was a sound at night, during a heaven downpour, out of fear nobody came out. Only for me to visit the area and see a heavy landslide. Residents have started moving out again out of fear. We don’t know which house next.
“The major part now is that the government has stopped the contractor from reclamation and recanalization in the area. We sleep with fear.
“The incessant and illegal mining of the sand from strangers have contributed to the landslide. We don’t even trust the community heads, because the strangers cannot come and dredge without the consent of the leaders.
“We want to beg the Bayelsa state government to come for our rescue. We cannot start paying for rent again. Let the contractors come back to the site’
Recall that, Obogoro has lost about 60% of its land due to erosion, with homes and properties being swept into the river, resulting in significant displacement and loss of life.
The community’s plight highlights the urgent need for effective shoreline protection measures and a comprehensive strategy to address the environmental and socio-economic impacts of erosion in the region.
