THE Member representing Warri North in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Fred Martins has called for immediate actions to mitigate the negative impacts of the recent ocean surge in parts of his Constituency.
The affected communities are Ogheye-Eghoroke, Ogheye-Dimigun, and several others along the Benin River in Warri North local government area of the state.
Hon Martins, who is the Deputy Chief Whip of the House, made the call when he led officials of the state government to inspect the level of damage caused the inhabitants of the communities by heavy flooding as a result of the ocean surge.
The lawmaker, who was saddened by the development, commensurated with the people over the disturbing incident and spoke on the need for urgent measures towards addressing the problem.
As palliative care for the affected residents, Hon Martins called on the federal government and its agencies to provide relief materials for the displaced families.
He also called for commencement of construction of shore line protection to forestall future occurrence, stressing that there was the need for permanent solution to the problem.
The lawmaker thanked the Delta State government for quick response with the visit to ascertain the level of damages caused by the sea surge and how best to remedy the situation.
Hon Martins, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Lands, Survey and Urban Development, also appealed to multi nationals and other oil companies operating in the areas, not to turn their backs against the affected communities as they needed help to cushion the impact of damages by the ocean surge.
The State Commissioner, Bureau For Special Duties, Etacherure Ejiro Terry, who commiserated with the people, noted that pains of any Deltan troubles and worries the government of Delta State, hence the prompt visit to ascertain the level of damages.
The commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Special Duties, Prince Greg Ejohwomu, said that the visit was at the instance of the Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.
He promised that steps would be taken to ameliorate the suffering caused by the ocean surge.
The commissioner called on oil companies and other stakeholders to collaborate with government to seek solution to the problem of high tides and overflow from the ocean.
Accompanied on the guided tour to inspect the level of destructions caused by the ocean surge were the Chairman Warri North local government council, Hon Festus Ashima, Director, Delta State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr karo Ovemeso and others.
The ocean surge, which is gradually sinking the communities, started on Thursday, September 19, 2024, resulting to indigenes fleeing their ancestral homeland.
