On Thursday, the House of Representatives called for the urgent resettlement of hundreds of Nigerians who were displaced by the ravaging effects of gully erosion in Bayelsa State.
The resolution was passed following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji, who expressed grave concern over the impacts of gully erosion in Yenagoa, Obogoro, Famgbe, Ikolo, and other communities within and around the Ikoli River of Bayelsa State.
In his lead debate, Hon. Oforji solicited the House’s intervention to save the affected communities from the risk of extinction by implementing reclamation and shore protection measures for the communities within and bordering the Ikoli River.
While noting that Section 14(2b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that the security, safety, and welfare of the people of Nigeria shall be the primary purpose of government, he averred that the ravaging effect of coastal erosion in Yenagoa, Obogoro, Famgbe, Ikolo, and other communities within and bordering the Ikoli River resulted in devastating consequences for the indigenes and residents of the areas.
“The House observed that landslides from the coastal erosion originating from the Ikoli River have submerged buildings, churches, farmlands, worship sites, schools, football fields, and a lodge housing National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.
“The House is concerned that the ongoing disaster has been unaddressed for years, causing fear among the indigenous and community residents.
“The House is worried that the erosion has caused significant hardship for indigenous communities, affecting their economic livelihoods and causing children to travel long distances for basic education,” he noted.
While lamenting that numerous residents were displaced by the disaster, Hon. Oforji lamented that at the peak of the rainy season, the implications of heavy flooding ignite a looming danger unless prompt action is taken to mitigate the disaster.
Relaying one of the ugly events which occurred in the affected communities, Hon. Oforji confirmed that lives were lost, including the death of a woman tragically swept away by a landslide in her sleep, whose body remains unaccounted for to this day.
To this end, the House urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to ensure the resettlement of displaced residents in affected areas and provide relief materials.
In the same vein, the House mandated the Committee on Environment to conduct a tour of the affected communities to assess the damages and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
