Several days after coastal erosion wreaked havoc on the Akugbene Community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, the residents are now living in fear of the ecological disaster’s resurgence.
Those affected by the landslide that swept many buildings, major jetty, fish ponds and canoes in Akugbene are now living in agony.
Chairman of Akugbene community, Mr. Cletus Edougha, appealed for relief materials for the locals adversely affected by the erosion to alleviate their plight.
Other locals, including a widow, Mrs. Suogha Gbawei, lamented the hardship they are now facing, and appealed to relevant ministries and agencies of government to come to their rescue.
They said apart from being rendered homeless, their means of livelihood have been shattered.
Although the member representing Bomadi–Patani Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rep. Nicholas Mutu has rolled out remedial work to mitigate the adverse impact of the coastal erosion, residents called for a permanent solution to save the community from being submerged.
Rep. Mutu was said to have mobilized contractors with high-powered equipment to salvage the pitiable situation at Akugbene as part of his contributions in combating the ecological challenge.
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Chairman of Bomadi Local Government Council, Mr. Dagidi Andaye, appealed to the federal and Delta State Governments to provide lasting solutions to prevent the community from being swept away by persistent coastal erosion.
The local government boss who was at the scene of the disaster to assess the extent of the havoc, said the construction of a shore wall would save the Akugbene community from being washed away into the Focados River.
“Ninety percent of the communities in Bomadi Local Government are in the riverine areas and have similar coastal erosion problems.
“For now, the council will provide some palliatives to the affected residents and also build temporary structures for those displaced by the ravaging landslide to alleviate their sufferings,” stated Andaye
He called on the federal and Delta State Governments, as well as interventionist agencies, to partner with the local government in combating the ecological disaster.
While thanking God that no life was lost in the disaster, the local government chairman lauded the community youths for making frantic efforts to save the damaged jetty from further destruction by the erosion.
