Environment
Community Alerts RSG Over Dredging …As Group Flays Activity In Otamiri River
Rivers State Government has been told to check the activities of Reef Courts Company over its disturbing dredging works.
The people of Okujagu Ama in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, made the call when they paid a courtesy call on the Special Adviser to the Governor on Pollution Control, Sir Nwuke Anucha, recently in his office.
The group which was led by Evans Okujagu, pointed out that the community was now faced with danger as a result of the company’s dredging business.
They noted that the activity had so far, removed the top soil, thereby, exposing them to natural disaster.
The community reasoned that if the state government and other relevant bodies did not take urgent steps, that sooner than later, the whole area would be wiped out.
According to them, fishing which is one of the major occupation is now under great threat due to the actions of the company.
They explained that the company’s business had increased the depth of their rivers, which was not friendly to fishermen.
They recalled that the activity had been on since 2008, saying that farmers are also suffering the same fate.
Also speaking, another community leader, Engr. Deinma Okujagu, blamed the company over what he described as poor relationship with the community.
It was also learnt that the company and the state government had earlier planned to do shore protection before development would be done in the area.
However, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Pollution, Nwuke Anucha, had promised to take their matter to the appropriate quarter for immediate response.
Meanwhile, a community based pressure group in Rivers State, Etche Peoples Liberation Congress (EPLC) has said that the continuous dredging of sand at the Otamiri River in Etche Local Government Area might lead to the sinking of four communities in the area.
The group which said this in a briefing in Port Harcourt mentioned the Four affected communities as Chokocho, Egwi Umuanyanagu and Okomoko.
National President of the group, Comrade Japhet Ogbueri told newsmen that, unless urgent steps were taken, the communities might soon begin to feel the impacts of the dredging activities.
Comrade Ogbueri said that apart from the communities, the Otamiri River is now being polluted.
“We are here to tell the world that four communities in Etche may sink any moment from now and Etche only traditional River, Otamiri is completely devastated by dredging activities.
He alleged that most of those involved in the dredging activities in the area, were doing it without regard to the environment, stressing that no dredging companies in the area could boast of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report.
Comrade Ogbueri further alleged that, efforts made so far to ensure that companies operating in the area complied with relevant environmental rules and regulations had not yielded any result.
He however, warned the companies not to wait for the youths to take to the streets before they remedy the situation.
According to him, youths of Etche ethnic nationality will no longer fold their hands and watch their environment being destroyed by dredging companies.
Comrade, Ogbueri also appealed to the Rivers State Government to intervene in the matter by calling on the companies to do the right thing in the overall interest of the people and the State.
Environment
Akpor Residents Decry New Wave Of Flooding
A new wave of flooding in some communities of Akpor Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local GovernmentArea of Rivers State has raised a great concern to residents as they have expressed apprehension, as rainy season is gradually setting in.
Some of the affected communities such as Rumuosi, Rumuekini and Ozuoba, have been witnessing flooding each time it rains, as water could not find exit routes after raining, because the drainages are completely blocked.
The Tide observed that many compounds, especially in Rumuosi and some parts of Rumuekini experience flooding when there is serious rainfall.
Reacting to the situation, an opinion leader in the area, Rev. Simeon Echeonwu, lamented that the construction company, Julius Berger, handling the Port Harcourt Ring-Road project did not provide alternative outlet for water to flow out, hence the flooding.
“ You can see that the gutters are all blocked because of ongoing construction work for the Ring Road project, but my worry and concern is that the Julius Berger handling the project ought to consider creating alternative passage for water.
“ For sure rain must fall in course of executing the project, but when there is an outlet for water, there must be flooding as all drainages are blocked.
“ Something needs to be done fast to address this problem before the rainy season sets in, so that people can have access to their homes”, he said.
Meanwhile, those that do business within the Rumuekini, Rumuosi and Ozuoba junctions are not spared, as flood takes over the areas of their businesses whenever it rains heavily.
According to a cosmetic shop operator, Chima Divine, the flooding affects business, and takes some time to clear.
“ I think that the best thing to be done is for Julius Berger to create a temporary relief while the construction work goes on. This will help residents and business operators not to let water enter their homes, for more rainfall will come, and this is Rivers State”, he stated.
As at the time of filing this report, the authorities of Julius Berger could not be immediately reached, but an anonymous source disclosed that the company was embarking on a remedial work on some streets, so as to control flooding.
The company’s source disclosed that some graders machines have been deployed to some streets for that purpose.
By: Corlins Walter
Environment
Women Group Tasks Society On Climate Change
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Kebetkache Women Development Centre, has called for collective action to address incidences of climate change in the country.
The group said this in a press release made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt.
According to the Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development Centre, Dr Emem Okon, addressing the pressing issue of climate crisis requires collective action and a focus on its impact on vulnerable populations, particularly women in frontline communities.
She said by collaborating and implementing effective strategies, “we can not only mitigate the consequences of climate change but also promote gender equality and social justice. Hence, Kebetkache collaborated with the National Council on Climate Change to enhance her institutional capacity and that of her allied organisations and networks on the National Determinants Contributions (NDCs) framework, and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to promote increased advocacy, access to the GCF and amplify the voices of women for a gender just climate action in collaboration with the state government and local authorities in the Niger Delta.”
Okon said, ‘‘as part of our efforts in mobilising women for climate and environmental justice, kebetkache is uniting and empowering individuals across the globe to address the pressing environmental challenges we face every day.
“By advocating for sustainable practices, policy changes, and social equity, Kebetkache aims to create a more just and resilient future for both present and future generations. Our collective efforts will ensure that the voices of women and marginalised communities are heard, and together, we can foster a healthier and more inclusive world for all,” she said.
By: John Bibor
Environment
Thousands Rendered Homeless As Storm Wrecks Havoc In Rivers
Tens of thousands of people were rendererd homeless while property worth millions of naira destroyed in Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas of Rivers State as rainstorm recently wrecked havoc in the two local government areas.
Sources informed The Tide that collosal damages were caused by the natural disaster in the areas.
The Tide also learnt that economic trees such as mangoes, oranges and others were also pulled down by the storm.
As at the time of filing this report more than 20 communities had been affected by the natural disaster in the areas.
According to eyewitness account, several buildings were either deroofed or pulled down by the storm across Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro local govermrnt areas.
Some of the communities affected in Andoni include Ngo, Oyorokoto, Ekede and Ikuru Town.
Also affected are Okoroboile, Chiekmoluk, Oboloiluk, Agbama, Otuokporo, Ebukumaija and Okoloile. Also, some fishing settlements along the Ikuru Town beach were also affected by the storm.
The Tide learnt that the storm deroofed some buildings at Opobo Town, and all its satellite communities including Minima, Okpukpo, Queenstown Epelema and others.
A resident of Obolo Iluk Mr Taibi Sunday told The Tide in a telephone interview that some economic trees were pulled down in the community.
Giving a break down of damages caused by the disaster in the area, Sunday said 21 houses were pulled down in Obolo Iluk, nine in Agbama , nine at Otuokporo and nine at Ebukumaija amongst others. local government Council and the State Government to come to their aide.
Also speaking Mr Ataisi lucky from Ekede lamented the level of destruction caused by the storm in the community.
He said it was the first time the community is suffering such large scale destruction by windstorm
Also at Ngo chief Adaiyibo Unyeawaji told the Tide via the telephone that his house was affected.
He said part of his roof was pulled out by the storm.
He said the situation has inflicted hardship on the people, adding that with the current high cost of building materials,it would be difficult for some of the affected persons to rebuild their houses.
He called on the government and public spirited individuals including non governmental organizations to come to their aide by assisting them with Zinc and other building materials.
At Ebukuma,Mr Emmanuel David Gogonte confirmed that his house was affected.
He said he lost more than fifty sheets of Zinc to the storm reacting to the incident in a telephone interview with The Tide ,The Executive Chairman of Andoni local Government Area Dr Erastus Awortu confirmed the incident adding that a team from the Council has been sent to assess the level of damages caused by the storm in all the Communities.
He said based on available information the situation is beyond the capacity of the Council to handle but added that the Council is working hard to rebuild the Corpers lodge destroyed by the storm at Ikuru Town.
By: John Bibor
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