Obogoro Community in the Face of Imminent Danger
As the floodwaters rise due to rainfall, indigenes of Obogoro Community are expressing worries about what will become of them during the ebb tide in November.
In this special report, titled Obogoro Community in the Face of Imminent Danger, our correspondent highlights the community’s vulnerability to erosion, possing an imminent danger to their livelihoods.
Yearly, the indigenes of this agrarian Atissa-speaking community in Yenagoa Local Government Area face erosion, leading to huge loss of properties and goods.
Many houses and lands are washed away claiming the lives of many residents and destroying properties.
Obogoro is still under the threat of being washed away as the river encroaching into the land.
The community, located along the Swali River, is in a panic mood and seeking the immediate attention of the Bayelsa State government.
Speaking to our correspondent, Chief Loveday Abaribote, The Ijaw National Council, INC Chairman of Atissa Clan, calls on the Bayelsa state government to expedite actions in tackling the issues of erosion in Obogoro Community.
He noted that although the government has done some work in the community, more needs to be done as many houses and lands have been washed away, which has also claimed the lives of many residents.
He explained that Obogoro is one of the popular towns in the state capital hence, urgent attention should be given to help and preserve the lands and livelihoods of the people.
While speaking on alleged reports of millions been spent by the government on the community, he said there has been no evidence of such amount of money spent as the community is still under the threat of being washed away.
“For now, we have not seen any concrete work done in the community, we are expecting floods and when it comes, it will wash away everything and the erosion will still be there, what we need is not reclamation but complete piling, the loss of houses and lives there is more than money, we don’t want this to continue”
Chief Loveday Abaribote appealed to the Governor Douye Diri led prosperity administration to critically look into the issue with a view to finding a solution.
For years, the community has called for measures to tackle the issue of erosion in Obogoro, but it appears such appeals fall on deaf ears.
Again, Obogoro community in the Face of imminent danger, will the government listen this time?
