Delighted to attend alongside Hon. Success Torhukerhijo, member representing Ese-Odo Constituency and Chairman House Committee on Environment, Hon. (Prince) Oyebo Aladetan SSA to Mr. Governor on Niger Delta Affairs, Hon. Favour Tomomewo member, representing Ilaje Constituency II, Engr. Marcus Adeyanju Project Coordinator NEWMAP, Prince Fola Omowole SA to Commissioner of Environment, Hon. Olusola Eniola esq. as the Nigeria Erosion and Water-Shed Management Project (NEWMAP) presented to Ayetoro Community Etteh Aro & Partners, an infrastructural development project to cushion the effects of sea incursion. This recent development is one that we so much anticipated for and we are glad it’s better late than never.
It could be recalled that in August, 2017, I wrote a letter to the Ondo State Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=868792819939017&id=230952477056391
As well a reminder was also written to Mr. Governor in October, 2019 https://www.facebook.com/230952477056391/posts/1392757700875857/
The devastating state of the community due to the sea incursion is a disheartening one as the rate of degeneration was beyond imagination, I could recall when I came to the community during my electioneering campaign, the sea incursion damages were not as bad as it is. The situation is becoming worse to an extent that our people can not sleep with their eyes closed.
I wish to commend the role of Mr. Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN for the bold step drawing the attention of NEWMAP to Ilaje as the consultancy firm will study the environment and design framework for the shoreline protection project. Let me also say that, over 98% of communities in this area, affected by sea incursion are begging for attention.
The Federal government was drawn to the problems of the sea incursion in Ayetoro and its environs. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) awarded the shoreline protection contract to Gallet Nigeria Limited in 2004, with the payment of N650 million as the mobilization fee but the contractor did nothing to help the situation.
The hopes of residents of Ayetoro were raised again when NDDC re-awarded the contract to another company, Dredging Atlantic, at the cost of N6.5 billion, paying a mobilisation fee of N2.5 billion, about 40 per cent of the total sum.
The slow execution of Ayetoro shoreline project has become a source of unhappiness for residents of the community.
So why has Dredging Atlantic not executed the contract?
“The company has paid over N100 million to groups and surrounding communities in fruitless search for desirable quantity of sand for the project. This suggests that there was no adequate planning and preparation for the project before it was contracted; and no credible pre-contract feasibility study.”
All thanks to God Almighty as the narrative of the story has changed as NEWMAP take over the job and I assure the consultant maximum security and cooperation with the Community to ensure prompt delivery of project.
Engr. Marcus Adeyanju, the state coordinator of NEWMAP in Ondo State narrates the effort of Mr. Governor and other stakeholders requesting for the support of NEWMAP in Ondo State. When the team arrived, the Governor presented Ayetoro sea incursion to them. Today, I want to assure you that work has commenced and we are here with our consultant. The work is of two categories;
1. Study and Design which will be done by Etteh Aro & Partners. They are already here with us.
2. After the project study and design, we will invite the contractor to the site.
The sea incursion era in the community has come to an end. He said, I want to plead with our youths to encourage the consultant in getting the first phase done as soon as possible. The legislative arm shall carry out legal framework through oversight function for the project to done.
Hon. Success Torhukerhijo, member representing Ese-Odo Constituency and Chairman House Committee on Environment congratulate Ayetoro Community. The sea incursion era in the community has come to an end, He further pleaded the youths to encourage the consultant in getting the first phase done as soon as possible. The legislative arm shall carry out legal framework through oversight function for the project to done.
