BY PRISCA OGBO
THE Senior Political Adviser (SPOLAD) to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish a Federal Ministry of Shoreline Protection to address the perennial issue of flooding ravaging parts of the country, especially riverine communities in the Niger Delta.
Senator Aguariavwodo made the call when he visited Bomadi and Patani Local
Government Areas of the State in continuation of his tour to interact with political appointees and stalwarts of the PDP in the 25 local government areas.
The SPOLAD said the call on the Federal Government has become necessary because the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) that is saddled with the responsibility of developing the area cannot fund the project, stressing that it is only the Federal Government that has the capacity and wherewithal to execute such a gigantic project.
Senator Aguariavwodo said that there are over 100 communities along the shores
of the River Niger that have been submerged or are being threatened by the fast flowing river which is washing the communities away, adding that the situation had led to loss of lives and property in the affected areas, thus further impoverishing the people of the Niger Delta.
According to Aguariavwodo, “the Federal Government depended on the Niger Delta for its sustenance, stressing that such a ministry can incorporate the ecological fund from the federation, adding that other communities threatened by river or gully erosion in other parts of Nigeria can also benefit from the new Federal Ministry.
The SPOLAD noted that the economy is configured to foster near absolute dependence on the government with very few industries in the Niger Delta, pointing out that such economic design breeds hunger and starvation. So, the consequent restiveness in the land can only be tackled if there are more genuine efforts in addressing the problems of the Niger Delta peoples.
Senator Aguariavwodo said that the plea of the people are well articulated and germane. He, however, appealed to them to be patient with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, emphasizing the total commitment of the governor to the development of the riverine communities in the state, even with the establishment of the new Ministry of Riverine
Infrastructure. He promised that “our” pragmatic Governor will increase its political patronage of the people and execute projects that will enhance their social and economic lives.
Earlier, the Chairman of Bomadi Local Government, Hon Dagidi Andaye and his Patani counterpart, Hon Isaac Aguanah applauded Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the
MORE Agenda implementation across the state.
