By Nurat Uthman
A non-governmental organisation, Safe and Better Nigeria (SBN), has appealed to the Federal Government, Bayelsa State Government, and relevant intervention agencies to assist the Amatu 2 community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Amatu 2, an oil-rich community, has long suffered from severe erosion and ocean encroachment. SBN has emphasised the urgency of action to prevent the community’s potential extinction.
In a statement issued on Friday, the National Coordinator, Solomon Ikpaka, SBN highlighted the need for immediate sand filling and land reclamation projects to preserve the community.
Ikpaka expressed deep concern over the inaction of both the federal and state governments despite the Amatu 2 community’s repeated SOS messages regarding their plight and significant contributions to Nigeria’s gross domestic product.
Amatu 2 has lost substantial land to decades of unchecked coastal erosion, and Ikpaka stated, “If nothing is done urgently, the community will soon be lost due to the accelerating destruction caused by erosion and ocean encroachment on the town.”
“As an NGO, we are deeply troubled by the suffering of the people and distressed that this issue has persisted for years with no intervention.”
According to Ikpaka, many residents have been left homeless as ocean surges have caused buildings to collapse, and seawater now flows into nearly every home.
He explained, “Rising sea levels and erosion have destroyed numerous buildings in the community, leaving many people homeless.
