Tackle Bayelsa ocean surge, Diri begs FG

The Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, says coastal communities in his state are in danger of being submerged by the Atlantic Ocean and called for Federal Government’s assistance on the matter.

Diri raised the alarm on Wednesday when he visited Odioama community in the Brass Local Government Area to assess the level of devastation from ocean encroachment.

The governor, who addressed the Odioama council of chiefs, elders, youths and women at the community town hall, said he chose to personally come rather than send a delegate, so he could see things for himself.

He assured the community that the state government would embark on a 1.5km shore protection project in order to check the ocean surge that had submerged about 250 buildings in the last 10 years.

Diri said the government would commence the shoreline project while awaiting Federal Government’s collaboration.

He, however, noted that it was beyond the scope of the state to address such challenges in Odioama, Koluama, Sangana, Agge and other communities facing similar threats.

“l did not come here for a political campaign but rather to see the plight of the Odioama people and have first-hand knowledge of what is happening to the community.

“I cannot sit in my office to hear that houses are giving way. I have been taken around and seen houses that are giving way to the ocean surge. The community’s cemetery has been threatened.

“l will see what the engineers in the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure will bring to the State Executive Council meeting.

“We know that the cost will be prohibitive and beyond the state government. We call on the Federal Government that while we use our meagre resources to start something, we want them to also collaborate with us in stopping the sea encroachment in Odioama and other communities,” Diri said.

He said having given so much to the country, Bayelsa deserved all the support it could get from the Federal Government.