By Saminu Ibrahim
A senator representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Senator Benson Konbowei has called on the federal government to urgently intervene in the worsening erosion threatening Obogoro community in Bayelsa State, declaring that homes, schools and religious buildings have already been lost.
He said the community had suffered persistent riverbank erosion for decades, despite repeated appeals to relevant government agencies for assistance.
In a motion titled “Urgent need to save Obogoro Community from Extinction”, Senator Konbowei lamented that the community feel neglected and abandoned and left to confront their life-threatening challenge.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after plenary on Tuesday in Abuja, the senator said the erosion crisis had remained unresolved for years, adding that he had been aware of the community’s plight since his secondary school days.
He recalled that Senator Abdul Ningi, during his contribution to the motion, disclosed that he had become aware of the Obogoro erosion problem while serving in the House of Representatives.
According to the lawmaker, the prolonged nature of the crisis underscores the urgent need for decisive government action to prevent further destruction and protect residents.
He said the erosion had already swept away the community’s school, including its playing field and school buildings, as well as church buildings and private residences.
“The community has suffered erosion time in, time out. As we speak, the community school has been eroded away, including the field, school buildings, church buildings and individual houses,” he said.
He maintained that residents had repeatedly written to government authorities seeking assistance but had received little beyond acknowledgement letters from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ecological Office.
He said constituents had recently sent him messages and updates documenting the continued destruction, prompting him to raise the matter on the floor of the Senate.
The lawmaker expressed satisfaction with the Senate’s deliberations, particularly the decision to establish a committee, to be headed by the Senate President, to ensure that the necessary action was taken.
Continuing, he said the Senate’s intervention should include making provision for the erosion-control project in the national budget and engaging relevant government officials, including the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The lawmaker said he was encouraged by the Senate President’s position that the National Assembly should make a meaningful effort to address the community’s plight and help residents regain a safe and stable living environment.
Commenting on annual flood warnings issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the preparedness of riverine communities, the lawmaker said the Bayelsa State Government had taken proactive measures to address flooding.
He applauded the administration of Governor Douye Diri with opening canals, clearing blocked waterways and addressing areas requiring attention, which he said had helped reduce flooding in communities across the state.
However, he stressed that the Obogoro crisis was different from conventional flooding, explaining that it was primarily caused by persistent riverbank erosion driven by the force of flowing water.
