March 13, (THEWILL) – The people of Sangana Community in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have called on the state and federal governments, as well as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to intervene in the surging water level of the sea that has destroyed homes, properties and livelihoods recently.
Sangana is an oil-rich coastal community with over seven multinational oil companies operating consistently over the past decades, which has contributed grossly to the economy of the state and the nation, but faced constant devastating surging water levels of the Atlantic Ocean.
The major occupations of the people of the community are farming and fishing. The surging waters of the sea have grossly affected the people’s sources of income and livelihoods, including residences and properties, creating unrest and fear.
Sangana is a blessed oil-producing community with multinational oil companies such as Chevron Field, Shell Field, Atala Field, Agbami Field, Conoil Field, Bonga Field, Madu Field, First E&P Field etc that have 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 embarked on a peaceful protest in 2023, towards addressing health challenges caused by oil explorations by the oil companies operating in the area.
Former Chairman of Brass Local Government Area and CEO of Be-Multi World Plus Ltd, Hon. (Dr) Bello Bina, in a statement, called on the state and federal government to intervene in proffering a 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. Ongobere Abraham, called for more support from the state and federal governments in finding a lasting solution to the devastating perennial flooding of the community.
As an indigene who is touched by the sufferings of the people of the community, Dr. Bina appealed to the state and federal governments, as well as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other intervention agencies, to come to the aid of the people of the community.
Dr. Bina, highlighting the devastating nature of the constantly rising water level of the sea, expressed sadness over the pains experienced by the people of the community, which has become imperative for the state and federal governments 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 a 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 made by the constituted authorities in proffering a lasting solution to the challenges facing the community, the coastal communities might go into extinction in the near future as a result of erosion.
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