From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has resolved to probe the alleged abandonment of a shoreline protection in Opokuma Kingdom of Bayelsa State.
Consequently, the House mandated its Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to undertake investigation and report back within four weeks for further legislative actions.
This followed the adoption of a motion by Abonsizibe Oforji Oboku on “need to investigate the contract by the NDDC for the Opokuma clan erosion protection in Kolokuma/ Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.”
Oboku, in his lead debate, informed the House that the NDDC, as part of its mandates to offer lasting solutions to socio-economic challenges in the Niger Delta, in May 2004, awarded a contract for
shoreline protection project in Opokuma Kingdom.
The lawmaker expressed dismay that 20 years after the award of the contract the project has been abandoned. He stated that this have resulted in dire consequences for the people.
According to him, “almost twenty years after, this project stand abandoned, this has resulted into a perennial erosion, affecting a clan comprising of ten communities.
In fact, a community (Ayakoroama community) has been washed away, Similarly, a substantial part of Orubiri Community has suffered the same fate.
“This has led to the loss of lives and property. This could have been averted if the contractor and NDDC has leaved up to the expectation of the aim and objectives of the said contract.”