Okujagu, Ojimba Communities Lament as Erosion Chops Off Jetty

Residents of Okujagu and Ojimba Communities in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State have beckoned on the State Government to salvage their homes as erosion continues to threatens their environment.

Speaking with Kristina Reports on the Tuesday, July 2, 2024, the Chairman of Ojimba Community, Tamuno Peter said that the situation is highly deplorable and disturbing.

“It wasn’t like this, our jetty used to be very long but now, you can imagine what is happening. The jetty is going off gradually. If nothing is done, very soon, nothing will be left of the community. It means we won’t even have homes to dwell again.”

In another chat, the Chairman of Okujagu community, Dabo Opuye told Kristina Reports, that the situation calls for immediate action.

He stated that the cause of the erosion is as a result of heavy ships and vessels plying the waterways around both communities.

“All these companies with their heavy boats, their vessels and their ships are the one causing this cus when the waves hit the jetty hard, it breaks and this is what we have been experiencing.”

“Our Jetty used to be long but now, there’s absolutely nothing left of it.”

Dabo Opuye also stated that the menace caused by these heavy cargoes poses serious threats to their aquatic life.

“We are a fishing people, that is what we do, our means of livelihood is gotten from the water. If you go to our water ways, you would see a lot of refuse. Our source of survival is now a dumpsite for them. And seriously, it is affecting our aquatic life.”

“They don’t only carry refuse, they also carry crude oil and it spills on the water surface. All our fishes will just go belly up and float. The situation is really terrible.”

Leaders of the communities have pleaded that the State government should see to arresting the situation and churning the menace before it exacerbates.