Senate raises alarm as ocean surge wipes out 80 per cent of Ondo community

The Senate has urgently demanded shoreline protection measures to prevent the complete destruction of Ayetoro community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State from the devastating effects of ocean surges. Senator Dayo Faduyile of the APC from Ondo South introduced a motion to the Senate on Thursday, highlighting the imminent extinction of the historic coastal community due to the relentless sea incursion.

Faduyile revealed that homes, livelihoods, cultural heritage sites, and public infrastructure were being destroyed at an alarming rate, with over 80% of buildings in the community lost to the sea.

Faduyile disclosed that schools, healthcare facilities, places of worship, and traditional institutions had been devastated, displacing thousands of residents. He expressed deep concern over the displacement of families, the threat to access to clean water and healthcare, and the uncertain future of the community. Faduyile pointed out that previous shoreline protection efforts, funded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), had faced implementation challenges, including delays, which had only exacerbated the crisis.

He urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Environment and the National Disaster Management Agency (NEMA), to collaborate with the Ondo State Government and the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) in implementing a substantially funded protection programme. Faduyile warned that further delays could result in more lives lost, properties destroyed, and livelihoods jeopardized, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly.

The Senate called for a transparent review of all ongoing shoreline protection contracts, monitoring their funding status and completion timelines, to expedite the rescue efforts.