By Musa Baba Adamu
The Senate has resolved to investigate the N6.5 billion-shoreline protection contract awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), for the purpose of protecting the Ayetoro community in Ondo State from ocean surge which has been threatening to submerge the people living in the area.
Senate resolution was sequel to a motion titled “Urgent Need for Intervention to Arrest the Incessant Sea Incursion Ravaging Ayetoro Community in Ondo State”, which was sponsored by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South).
Moving the motion on the floor of the senate, Ibrahim noted that the oil producing Ayetoro community is a phenomenally historical and cultural settlement along the coastal stretch of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, which serves as a major source of revenue for the nation.
According to him, “Ayetoro community and its environs account for 5.4% of the 60,000 barrel per day of Ondo State’s crude oil production output amounting to about 3.7% of Nigeria’s total oil production and this ranks Ondo State as the 5th among Nigeria’s oil producing States, under the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Act.”
He lamented that all is not well in Ayetoro, adding that there are concerns of human insecurity, noting that the issue has caused several damages in the community.
“Ayetoro Community used to be one of the most prosperous riverine settlements in Nigeria due to its thriving trade in fish”, Ibrahim said
Stressing that the residents in the community are gradually losing hope, he worried that if nothing is done urgently, the community will be at the verge of being completely lost to the sea.
“The devastating sea incursions and ocean surges have been the albatross of the Ayetoro Community for over two decades with hundreds of homes and properties being destroyed annually resulting to displacement of indigenes of the community and consequently in the disruption of oil exploration in the area”, he said.
He further said that “The surges have become an annual occurrence that successive governments have failed to attend to and serves as a daily reminder to the indigenous people of Ayetoro that the community is gradually slipping into the belly of the Atlantic Ocean.
“The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as early as 2004, just four years after its creation made commendable attempt to stem the tide by awarding the contract for the construction of a shoreline protective wall designed with a geo-tube technology in Ayetoro to Gallet Nigeria Limited at an original contract sum of N6.4 billion of which 25 per cent was reportedly paid.
“The contract was revoked in 2009 for alleged lack of capacity and rewarded to Dredging Atlantic Limited at an undisclosed cost, however eleven years after the new contractor took over, abd sixteen years after the contract was first awarded, there is nothing on ground to show any intervention by the government, thereby creating the wrong impression of ab unconcerned Federal Government.”
In supporting the motion, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), said it is a matter of urgency for the Senate to come to the aid of Ayetoro and come up with possible solutions.
Other senators who supported the motion were Gbenga Daniel (APC, Ogun East) and Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin.
Therefore, the Senate resolved to: “Mandate the Committee on NDDC, Environment and Ecology (when constituted) to interface with relevant Ministries to work out modalities for instant intervention in the disaster.
“Urge the various committees (when constituted) to investigate the contract award of 2006 and report back to the Senate and also, urge the national and international agencies to live up to their responsibilities while looking into the issue”.
On Community Social Responsibility (CSR) of oil companies operating in the area Senator Ibrahim said they should “come up with what they have done for the area”.
He suggested that a temporary Ayetoro town be established for people to move to while the reclamation of the sea side is going on and when the reclamation is over, the people can return to their homes.
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