Rescue us from extinction, erosion-ravaged Delta community cries out

RESIDENTS of coastal Tuomo community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, whose shore protection wall caved in a week ago as a result of high magnitude of coastal erosion, are appealing for help from relevant authorities.

Although no casualty was recorded, the devastating earthquake-like incident has severed the ongoing internal road project along the community waterfront, subjecting the folks into perpetual trepidation.

Nigerian Tribune, on a visit to the coastal community, which shares borderline with Bayelsa State, last weekend, observed that many stores and residential houses along the shoreline have been deserted due to further emerging cracks by daily increase in downpour.

An indigene of the community, Mr Oruferebo Hebrew, said the quake that led to the washing off of the shore protection wall occurred at the twilight of Sunday, March 18.

“Yesterday around 5.30p.m, we were playing football in the field and suddenly we heard a high cracking sound at Foukonou area of the community.

“Curious to know what really happened, we went to the scene only to see that the community Shore Protection Wall has been sunk by erosion. We were amazed to see the magnitude of the incident.

“Many people have already packed out of the area because there are cracks everywhere and in case of any rainfall, it will be fatal and we don’t pray for that to happen,” he disclosed.

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The witnessed recalled a similar incident sometime in 2017 which sent jitters down the spines of the coastal folks.

“Similar incident of lesser magnitude occurred in another spot of this shore protection last year, which sent fears into the hearts of the people living around the place,” he noted.

A civil servant and indigene of the community, Mr Edeya Areweri expressed shock and disappointment, saying if the place is not repaired before heavy rains come, it will be dangerous, calling on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Ministry of the Niger Delta and the Delta State government to swing into action.

“It is a death trap for children and the aged. My father is 84 years old; he can’t walk out again. The erosion is eating deep,” he lamented.

The traditional ruler of Tuomo community, Chief Samuel Emokpo, while speaking on the incident, called on the state and Federal Governments to expeditiously intervene early enough to save lives and property.

According to him, “I want both the state and federal governments to intervene immediately because any moment from now, any rainfall in this area will aggravate the incident.

“All the people living around the area are now packing their belongings to flee because of the new cracks that are becoming wider and wider every passing minute.

“I also call on the company that is handling the job, Vibro Flotation Nig Ltd, to mobilize to site immediately to avert calamity in the whole community.”