Dozens of Itsekiri communities on the fringes of the Atlantic Ocean in Warri South West Local Government Areas of Delta State are facing a bleak future over increasing ocean incursions.
Naija Daily News’ findings revealed that Ogidigben, Ogheye, Aju-Daibo, and Orere, among others, could be wiped out in a few years unless the shores are protected from the rampaging ocean surge.
Our reporter who visited the area recently was told by the communities’ leaders that they have made several futile appeals to the Delta State and Federal governments to urgently embark on shoreline protection projects to save the communities.
The Itsekiri Environmental Protection Initiative. IEPI, recently raised an alarm on the precarious situation in the communities. The group said residential buildings in the affected towns could be swept away in a matter of years.
A statement signed by Ojumude Tisan Bishop and Egere Weyinmi, National Coordinator and Secretary of IEPI respectively, Ojumude Tosan Bishop and Egere Weyinmi, respectively, said: “Our organization, some time ago in July, raised the alarm of Ocean surge affecting Ogheye and Orere via news media.
“This led to the Office of Sole Representative to the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR to NNPCL and her JV partners, to respond by sending relief materials, went for on-site assessment accompanied by representatives of IEPI and geared advocacy on the ocean surge predicament. Later on, state representatives led by Hon. Fred Martins visited the area.
“Nevertheless, we are yet to get positive feedback in terms of finding lasting solutions to the re-occurrence year in and year out, other than unfulfilled promises from the government of the day at all levels.
“Given the contribution of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality to the Nigerian economy, via crude oil exploration quantum, we therefore for the sake of sustainable solution to this menace, use this medium to call for the inclusion of the protection of all ocean surge-affected communities of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality in the 2025 budget of both the Delta State and Federal Government of Nigeria.
“We have set up an internal impact assessment committee to give professional insight into causes (climate change, crude oil exploration, etc.), negative impacts and sustainable solutions.”
NDN gathered that the affected communities are host to multibillion-dollar oil and gas facilities, including the $10bn Chevron Gas to Liquid Project, EGTL, and the American oil firm’s Escravos Tank Farm and crude export terminal.
A $27bn Escravos Deep Sea Port is also on the offing in the area, which takeoff is being delayed by a paucity of funds.
Our reporter recalled that the shore project projects for these communities have been awarded by several agencies, including the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, with barely any work done despite several billions of naira being poured into it.
