The House of Representatives has tasked its Committee on Niger Delta to investigate the long-abandoned erosion protection contract for the Opokuma Clan in Bayelsa State. This project, initiated by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in May 2004, has been left incomplete, exacerbating severe erosion issues in the region.
During Wednesday’s plenary, Obokun Oforji, the representative for Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency, brought this pressing issue to the attention of the House. Oforji recounted how the NDDC awarded the shoreline protection contract for Opokuma Kingdom to Jide Agboola of Dredging Atlantic Ltd nearly two decades ago. He highlighted the company’s notorious track record of abandoning projects, referencing an October 6, 2015, report by the Guardian which detailed a similar case in Aiyetoro Community, Ondo State. In that instance, the company allegedly deserted the project after receiving a mobilisation fee of N2.5bn out of the N6.5bn contract sum.
“Almost 20 years later, this project remains abandoned, leading to relentless erosion that affects ten communities,” Oforji stated. “The Ayakoroama community has been entirely washed away, and a significant portion of the Orubiri community has suffered the same fate.”
The House has resolved to refer this matter to the Committee on NDDC, aiming to address the prolonged neglect and its devastating impact on the affected communities.
