By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
The people of Sangana Communities in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, have called on the state and federal governments, especially the Niger Delta Development Commission to intervene in the surging sea level that destroyed homes, properties and livelihoods recently.
Sangana, an oil-producing coastal community with over seven multi-national oil companies operating over the past decades, has contributed “grossly to the economy of the state and the nation,” but is faced with constant devasting and surging water level from the Atlantic Ocean.
The major occupations of people in the community, are farming and fishing. Our correspondent say the surging sea waters have grossly affected the people’s sources of income and livelihoods, including residence and properties creating unrest and fear.
Sangana is blessed with oil fields operated by multi-national oil companies, such as the Chevron Field, Shell Field, Atala Field, Agbami Field, Conoil Field, Bonga Field, Madu Field, First E&P Field etc that has operated over the decades, but no infrastructure and development.
While seeking the intervention of the state and federal governments to proffer lasting solutions, the people of the community carried out a peaceful protest last year, towards addressing health challenges caused by oil explorations by multi-national oil companies operating in the area.
In a statement, the former chairman of Brass Local Government Area and CEO of Be-Multi World Plus Ltd, Hon. (Dr) Bello Bina, called on the state and federal governments to intervene in proffering lasting solution to the challenges facing the people of the community urgently.
Dr. Bina while commending the “tremendous efforts of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ingobere Abraham,” called for more support from the state and federal governments in finding lasting solution to the devastating perennial flooding of the community basically.
As an indigene who is touched by the sufferings of the people of the community, Dr. Bina appealed to the state and federal governments, especially the Niger Delta Development Commission and other intervention agencies to come to the aid of the people of the community.
Dr. Bina while highlighting the devastating nature of the constant rising water level of the sea, expressed sadness over the pains experienced by the people of the community, which he said has made it imperative for the state and Federal Government to act immediately.
“The state government, Federal Government, NDDC, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, IOCs and other agencies as a matter of urgency, should intervene and proffer solution to the surging water level of the Atlantic Ocean to alleviate the sufferings of the people,” he added.
Dr. Bina added that if proactive steps are not taken by the constituted authorities in proffering lasting solution to the challenges facing the community, the coastal communities might go into extinction in the nearest future as a result of erosion.
