Several residents of Akugbene, a riverine community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, have been rendered homeless following a devastating episode of coastal erosion that swept through the area earlier this week. The disaster destroyed residential buildings, a major jetty, fish ponds, and fishing canoes, leaving affected families in distress and fear of further erosion.
Chairman of the Akugbene community, Mr. Cletus Edougha, made an urgent appeal for relief materials to support victims of the disaster. He emphasized the urgent need for both short-term aid and long-term intervention to prevent further damage.
Among the affected residents is Mrs. Suogha Gbawei, a widow, who lamented the hardship the erosion has brought upon her and others in the community. “We have not only lost our homes but also our means of livelihood,” she said, calling on relevant government agencies to intervene promptly.
In response to the crisis, Hon. Nicholas Mutu, who represents Bomadi–Patani Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has commenced remedial works to mitigate the impact. Contractors, equipped with heavy machinery, have been deployed to the site to begin emergency reinforcement of the shoreline.
However, residents and local leaders are calling for more permanent solutions. Chairman of Bomadi Local Government Council, Mr. Dagidi Andaye, during an on-site assessment, reiterated the need for the construction of a durable shoreline wall to protect the community from being submerged by the encroaching Focados River.
“Ninety percent of the communities in Bomadi are riverine and face similar threats of coastal erosion,” Andaye said. “While we will provide immediate palliatives and construct temporary shelters for the displaced, the scale of this challenge requires urgent state and federal intervention.”
He further appealed to the Delta State Government, the Federal Government, and relevant ecological agencies to partner with the council in devising sustainable strategies to address the recurring threat.
While thanking God that no lives were lost in the incident, Mr. Andaye praised the efforts of community youths who swiftly mobilized to protect what remained of the damaged jetty, preventing further destruction.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the vulnerability of Nigeria’s coastal and riverine communities, many of which are grappling with worsening environmental challenges linked to climate change and insufficient infrastructure.