The people of Otuokpoti community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have expressed happiness as a philanthropist and indigene of the community, Mr. Jepther Yokorogha, intervened in the perennial erosion challenges of the community.
Mr. Yokorogha, during the week, facilitated the sand filling of the shores of the community, especially the parts that were affected by landslide in 2019.
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Speaking with Niger Delta Trust in Otuokpoti, Mr. Yokorogha said the reason behind his gesture was to save the people from the disaster of landslide, saying after listening to complaints from the people, that both the state and federal governments were reluctant in assisting, he felt it was imperative to rescue them from the menace.
Yokorogha, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a dredging company, explained that 50 per cent of the job had been completed; that is filling the waterfront of the community.
Reacting to the gesture, the paramount ruler of Otuokpoti, Chief Azibakanya Wogu, said the intervention had brought relief to the people.
Chief Wogu, while appreciating the effort of Mr. Yokorogha in tackling the erosion menace in the area, explained that the community did not pay a kobo but only agreed to assist by providing diesel.
A resident of the area, Mr. Believe Ekerete, and the Community Development Committee Chairman, Mr. Francis Igoli, said they had previously informed the authorities, including the Ministriy of Environment and the Ministry of Works but that they were yet to get any response.
They, however, called on the federal and state governments to intervene and find a lasting solution to save the community from the disaster.