Erosion sacks community in Bayelsa

Some of residents of Obgogoro community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State are now abandoning their homes to a ravaging coastal erosion.

Some inhabitants of the community packed hurriedly from their houses as the rampaging natural phenomenon encroached on houses, churches, schools and other open lands.

The water from the Epie Creek is showing no mercy as it submerges everything on its way, eating deep into the community.

With many persons already displaced, the people had over the years cried out for help from the state and federal authorities without any positive response.

Abandoned to their fate, they are now leaving their homes in droves, seeking shelter and refuge outside the Ogbogoro community.

A journalist, Eunice Nnachi, residing in the area expressed alarm that several houses including hers are now under threat of being consumed by the coastal erosion.

Monarchs and community leaders have also sent a save our souls messages to the government.

The NYSC lodge in the area has not been spared either from the devastating menace just as the community primary school, the Saint Paul Primary School, has been washed into the Ekoli River.

Paramount ruler of the community, Chief Monday Igodo, said the people have also lost their sources of livelihood with farmlands and crops consumed.

The absence of power supply has further compounded their woes as the community has been plunged into darkness for over two years.

A community member identified as Peter Goodnews said the people were undergoing hardship with families displaced and scattered.

Another local, Wisdom Winepre said he was traumatized because he had lost his home to erosion and was currently at a loss where to put up.

They called on the Bayelsa State and Federal Government as well as relevant agencies to come to their rescue and save them from the threat posed by the menace.