“Will NDDC Watch Agge Disappear?” — Ijaw Leader Cries Out As Atlantic Ocean Swallows Homes And Ancestral Graves
By Passman Akpos
YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE — Engr. Tare Gospel Akpoware, Information Officer of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Kou Kingdom, has appealed to the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, to urgently intervene in the abandoned Agge Shoreline Protection Project, warning that continued ocean encroachment threatens the existence of the coastal community.
Akpoware made the appeal in an open letter addressed to Ogbuku, expressing deep concern over what he described as years of neglect of the shoreline protection project in Agge, an oil-bearing community in Bayelsa State.
According to him, the Atlantic Ocean is gradually washing away the community, destroying homes and threatening ancestral burial grounds, while residents live in fear of losing their properties and means of livelihood.
He warned that unless urgent intervention is provided, Agge could face further destruction, potentially threatening its continued existence in the coming years.
‘Our Fathers’ Graves Are Being Washed Away’
In the letter, Akpoware painted a troubling picture of the situation confronting residents, alleging that ocean encroachment has already rendered several families homeless.
He said the destruction extends beyond residential buildings to ancestral graves, raising concerns about the potential loss of the community’s historical and cultural heritage.
“Many families today in Agge do not have homes anymore because their houses have been swallowed by the sea. Our fathers’ graves are being washed away,” he stated.
Akpoware added that children and other residents are increasingly anxious during rainfall because of fears that further ocean encroachment could threaten their homes.
Describing the appeal as a matter of survival rather than politics, he called on the NDDC leadership to treat the situation as an emergency requiring immediate attention.
NDDC Urged To Revisit Abandoned Project
Akpoware expressed disappointment over what he described as the absence of adequate attention to the Agge Shoreline Protection Project since Ogbuku assumed office as managing director of the intervention agency.
He argued that the NDDC was established to address development challenges in oil-producing communities across the Niger Delta and should therefore prioritise communities facing serious environmental threats.
According to him, Agge has contributed to Nigeria’s economy through its oil-bearing status but continues to face environmental challenges that require urgent government intervention.
He appealed to Ogbuku to demonstrate his commitment to the development of the Niger Delta by ensuring that Agge receives the necessary attention.
However, the allegations concerning the project’s abandonment and the extent of the damage require independent verification, while the NDDC’s position on the project was not included in the open letter.
Four Demands To NDDC Management
In his appeal, the IYC Kou Kingdom Information Officer outlined four urgent steps he wants the commission to take to prevent further destruction of the community.
His demands include:
- Immediate Review: Revisit the abandoned Agge Shoreline Protection Project and take steps towards its implementation or completion, as applicable.
- Damage Assessment: Dispatch a technical assessment team to Agge to evaluate the extent of ocean encroachment and the damage to homes, land and other community assets.
- Emergency Intervention: Include Agge shoreline protection among the commission’s priority intervention projects.
- Public Commitment: Use the office and influence of the NDDC managing director to draw attention to the plight of Agge and mobilise urgent action.
Akpoware expressed confidence in Ogbuku’s leadership, urging him not to allow the community’s environmental challenges to remain unresolved.
A Growing Environmental Concern For Coastal Communities
The appeal highlights the environmental challenges confronting vulnerable coastal settlements in the Niger Delta, where shoreline erosion and ocean encroachment can threaten homes, infrastructure, livelihoods and cultural heritage.
For communities such as Agge, effective shoreline protection may require a combination of engineering interventions, environmental assessments, sustainable coastal management and coordinated action by relevant government agencies.
Akpoware maintained that swift action by the NDDC could help prevent further destruction and protect residents from the consequences of continued coastal erosion.
He concluded by urging Ogbuku to act before the situation deteriorates further, stressing that the future of the community could depend on the response of the relevant authorities.
Tarakirivoice Newspaper notes that the NDDC’s response to the appeal, the current status of the Agge Shoreline Protection Project, its funding history and the timeline for any planned intervention remain to be established. The commission’s response and any verified project records would be important in determining the next steps needed to address the community’s concerns.
