From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Senate has called on the Federal Government (FG) to urgently intervene to save Aiyetoro community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, and general ocean shorelines from further destruction by Atlantic Ocean surges, warning that continued sea incursion threatens lives, livelihoods, public infrastructure and the cultural heritage of the historic coastal settlement.
It also urged the FG, through the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other relevant agencies, to collaborate with the Ondo State Government and the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) to implement a comprehensive and adequately funded shoreline protection programme.
The Senate also called for a transparent review of previous and ongoing shoreline protection contracts in Aiyetoro, including their funding, implementation status, outstanding obligations and completion timelines, to address reported delays and ensure that interventions produce the desired results.
These resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Senator Dayo Faduyile on the urgent need for immediate and comprehensive shoreline protection to save Aiyetoro from sea incursion.
The lawmakers, while expressing concern over the scale of destruction in the community, noted that recent reports indicated that approximately 80 per cent of buildings in Aiyetoro had been lost to sea incursion.
They also warned that the devastation had affected homes, schools, healthcare facilities, places of worship and traditional institutions, leaving residents increasingly vulnerable to displacement and the loss of their means of livelihood.
In addition, the Red Chamber urged the government to explore appropriate budgetary provisions and international climate adaptation financing to support sustainable coastal protection, land reclamation where technically appropriate, and the restoration of essential community infrastructure.
The lawmakers also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and relevant state authorities to provide immediate humanitarian assistance, including safe water, healthcare support and temporary shelter for residents whose homes and livelihoods are threatened by the advancing ocean.
To ensure effective implementation of the resolutions, the Senate mandated its Committees on Environment, Niger Delta Development Commission and Special Duties to liaise with relevant ministries, agencies and stakeholders, monitor progress and report back to the chamber within four weeks for further legislative action.
The Committee on Legislative Compliance was also mandated to monitor compliance with the resolutions and report accordingly.
It warned that further delay could lead to additional loss of lives, property, livelihoods and cultural heritage, while worsening the humanitarian and environmental conditions of vulnerable residents, particularly children, women and elderly persons.
The lawmakers further stressed the need for immediate government intervention, transparent project implementation and effective legislative oversight to protect Aiyetoro and other vulnerable coastal communities in Ondo State.
Amending the prayers of the motion, Senator Samson Ekong called for the inclusion of affected areas in Akwa Ibom South in the intervention by the federal government. He was supported by Senate President Godswill Akpabio who emphasised the need for protection of the shoreline generally.
“Some of these things are above the resources of the state and that is why these issues are being brought here to the Senate,” he stated.
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