The Bayelsa State Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control (DFEC) has undertaken a preliminary on-the-spot erosion impact assessment of Anibeze community in Sagbama Local Government Area (SALGA) of the State.
Speaking during the assessment, the Director-General, Surv. Wilson Omuso, who led the team stated that the move was geared towards fulfiling one of the Directorate’s key functions which is flood control, adding that, the visit was aimed at taking preliminary assessment of the extend of damage caused by erosion with a view to providing lasting solution.
He noted that in the course of the assessment, the Directorate has made some observations on the preliminary causes of the erosion ravaging the community, which would lead to an indepth scientific study to ascertain the main causes of the erosion menace.
He assured that upon the conclusion of the studies on their second visit, recommendations would be made to government for appropriate mitigation actions.
Also speaking, the King of Anibeze Community, Isaac Micah, lamented the significant impact of erosion on the Community leading to destruction of houses and infrastures including the first Community primary school, pointing out that, many indigenes have been displaced.
The King revealed that the community had tried its best to seek self-help solutions with no results and therefore, call on government and other agencies like NDDC to intervene to curb the problem of the erosion.
He described Governor Douye Diri as a man of his words, expressing hope of the state’s Governor’s intervention initiatives.
On their on part, the Anibeze Community Representative, Mr. Dennis Akparesa and the former Chairman of the Community , Mr. Lucky Opuana revealed that their last census conducted in 2011 showed that about 250 blocks houses, including numerous thatch houses, electrification projects, power house and plant had been eroded.
They pointed out that the erosion has eroded off higher portions of the community’s land and thereby making it susceptible to flooding and appealed to the government to save the community from going into extinction.
The duo also sought the help of government to provide the community with amenities like road networks and portable water to alleviate their hardship.
