The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has promised to use the best modern technology to tackle ocean surges and erosion that has claimed over 200 buildings in Sangana and Odioama communities in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this Sunday during an on-the-spot assessment of the level of devastation in the community.
Daily Trust had last Wednesday reported the plights of the people caused by the ocean surge, which had destroyed over 200 buildings and displaced several residents of the area.
Ogbuku, accompanied by the Executive Director of Project at the commission, Sir Victor Antai, and other directors on the visit, stated that the move followed a presidential directive ordering a quick intervention in what is considered to be one of the worst ecological disasters in the Niger Delta region.
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The NDDC boss also donated relief materials to the people displaced by the ocean surge.
He said: “Before your letter of appeal arrived at our head office in Port Harcourt, the ocean surge in Sangana was already published in the media. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria saw it and directed that we must come and see what is happening in Sangana and give him feedback.
“My presence in your community, apart from being a son of the soil, is in response to Mr President’s directive, and having witnessed first-hand the devastation in your community, we will proceed immediately to see how we can salvage the situation.
“We had earlier awarded the contract for shore protection in your community, but we are going to review it. The whole idea in NDDC is that we are also looking at new technology such as the Geotube system. The system is also used in rebuilding and reclaiming the land naturally.
“Having ascertained the situation on the ground, we will go back and put the papers together and also see how we can partner with the state government and the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to ensure that we protect our communities.”
The Chairman of the Sangana Council of Traditional Rulers, King Moses Theophilus Kenibara VII, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the love showered on the people of the Sangana community.
He pledged that the people of the community would continue to maintain peace and cooperate with the government for the development of the country.
