AN OPEN AND URGENT CALL TO SAVE OGHEYE, EKEKPORO AND EKETIE COMMUNITIES FROM OCEAN SURGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

*ITSEKIRI ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION INITIATIVE*

Address: Falcorp Mangrove Park, Ijala-Ikenren, Warri Delta State.

Date: 5th of September, 2024.

- The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA)

*AN OPEN AND URGENT CALL TO SAVE OGHEYE, EKEKPORO AND EKETIE COMMUNITIES FROM OCEAN SURGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION.*

The Itsekiri Environmental Protection Initiative (IEPI) writes to draw urgent attention to the catastrophic situation currently unfolding in the historic Itsekiri community of Ogheye, and her adjoining communities of Ekekporo and Eketie, all located in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State. 

Ogheye is being relentlessly washed away by a devastating ocean surge. A disaster fueled by environmental degradation and exacerbated by climate change and oil exploration activities.

The impact of this ocean surge has been severe and unyielding, with the communities facing the imminent threat of losing their homes, ancestral lands, and livelihoods where many sophisticated buildings and other structures have been washed away into the Atlantic Ocean, thereby rendering the people homeless as many seek refuge in other communities.

The once thriving and vibrant community is now on the brink of destruction and extinction, with its people living in constant fear of the next wave of erosion that could sweep away everything they hold dear.

It should be noted that the Ogheye community, which is one of the major economic hubs of the south-western part of Delta state and Nigeria, is by the Atlantic shore where aquatic products were traded by Itsekiris, Ilajes, Ijaws, and many others, including Ghanaians and Benenios, who were foreign fishermen. 

The Delta State past administration led by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa completed and commissioned the prestigious Ogheye floating market, but unfortunately, the community that harbors the much talked about market is presently under environmental threat.

Other neighboring communities, such as Ekekporo and Eketie, suffered the worst fate as they are currently almost 80% washed into the ocean by the same surge with zero attention from relevant authorities.

We call for mitigation measures to be put in place to help save the lives of habitats of the communities and protect their properties as the situation in these communities requires swift and coordinated action such as the implementation of coastal protection measures, providing necessary relocation assistance, and enforcing sustainable environmental practices that will prevent further degradation most especially by the crude oil multinational corporations operating in the locality.

We implore all relevant stakeholders to rise to the occasion and provide the much-needed intervention to save our people from this looming catastrophe.

We urgently appeal to the Federal Government, through the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) to take appropriate action as this is part of the reason for their existence. Also, the Delta State Government humbly led by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori.

Not leaving out the Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria Environmental Society (NES), Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Commissioner for Environment Delta State Ministry of Environment, DESOPADEC, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ministry of Niger Delta, NNPCL, Nigeria Public Complaint Commission (NPCC), all multinational corporations involved in oil exploration in the locality, and other stakeholders to rise to the occasion, intervene immediately, and provide the much-needed intervention to save our people from this looming catastrophe.

Thank you for your immediate attention and action in anticipation.

Sincerely,
Ojumude Tosan  Bishop,
Coordinator

Egere Weyinmi,
Secretary

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