The Ogulagha Kingdom ruler in Delta on Wednesday sought for Federal Government’s intervention on coastal erosion and sea encroachment threatening the lives and property of the community.
This is contained in a statement by Mrs Eno Olotu, Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations of Ecological Project Office (EPO), in Abuja.
The ruler, Capt. Joseph Timiyan, the Ebenaneowei of Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of the state, made the call on a courtesy visit to Permenent Secretary, EPO, Mallam Shehu Ibrahim.
Timiyan, represented by High Chief William Igere, Prime Minister, Bolowei of Ogulagha Kingdom, said that the situation had caused serious destruction of lives and property in the community.
He called for urgent intervention of the EPO, adding that the effort would help to address the situation.
“Ogulagha Kingdom was a strategic community, being a maritime gateway and a hub for maritime activities with huge deposits of crude oil, hydro-carbons and gas reserve, making it the highest oil producing area in the state.
“Over six international oil companies as well as nine oil flow- stations of gas reserves and gas projects, oil wells and pipelines are located within the community.
“This also makes it a strategic contributor to the nation’s economic and national developments,” he said.
According to him, the kingdom is an ancient town, lying on both sides of the Estuary of the forcados river, where it meets with the Atlantic Ocean.
Timiyan said that the people in the community were very hospitable while the land and waters were also blessed with huge deposits of crude oil hydro-carbons and gas reserves.
Responding, the permanent secretary expressed delight with the peaceful approach and manner the people conducted themselves over the years with such enormous deposits of natural resources in the land.
He acknowledged that the resources had indeed contributed to the nation’s economy and development.
He said that ecological issues were collective responsibilities and the fund fairly shared to both federal, state and the local governments.
He said that the effort would be effective if relevant stakeholders could collaborate in tackling the menace.
“As a Federal Government, ecological office and its intervention efforts are usually spread evenly across the nation to ensure equity and fairness to all.
“The moment a community or state has benefitted from a project at a particular time, the next round of intervention will certainly go to another state within the particular geo-political zone.
Abraham, however, advised the community to exercise patience, as government would do the needful in ensuring that the situation was tackled effectively. (NAN)
