Hundreds displaced, properties lost as Ocean surge sacks Constain community in Delta

Properties worth a fortune were, on Sunday, lost to ocean incursion at coastal line Constain community of Ugborodo in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Feelers have it that the surge into the community, which exacerbated on Sunday morning due to a heavy downpour, had begun over a week ago, as folks, mostly of Ilaje stock, now live in trepidation under the elements.

Our correspondent reliably gathered on Sunday that houses, fishing nets, fishing boats, electric poles and other properties worth millions of naira were lost to the rampaging surge.

Speaking with a youth leader of Constain community, Mr Pius Regele, he specifically claimed that no fewer than 100 houses and 300 boats were either destroyed or washed ashore.

“It has been occuring close to a week, but today was most dangerous and devastating.

“Men, women and children have been displaced. Their household items are in the sea. Fear of reptiles attack is rife. We’re at the mercy of nature elements,” Regele, who’s a welfare officer of the community, lamented.

When asked the cause of the ocean incursion, he attributed it to “oil exploration that leads to climate change and global warming.”

The community leader said he had already contacted and intimated the Delta State Commissioner of Special Duties and Bureau, Mr Johnbull Edema, with video footages of the disaster.

He appealed for urgent relief materials from Delta State gov, the Federal Government and oil giant, Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL) to cushion the devastating effects of the ocean surge in the interim.