Senator representing Bayelsa Central, Benson Konbowei, has urged the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the worsening erosion crisis threatening Obogoro community in Bayelsa State, warning that homes, schools and churches have already been swept away.
Konbowei raised the alarm while speaking with journalists shortly after plenary on Tuesday in Abuja, following deliberations on his motion titled “Urgent Need to Save Obogoro Community from Extinction.”
Afrilensnews reports that the senator said the community had battled persistent riverbank erosion for decades, despite repeated appeals to relevant government agencies for intervention.
The lawmaker lamented that residents had been left to face the devastating consequences of the erosion, which continues to threaten lives, property and the future of the community. He said the destruction had reached alarming levels, with critical public facilities and private buildings already lost.
“The community has suffered erosion time in, time out. As we speak, the community school has been eroded away, including the field, school buildings, church buildings and individual houses,” he said.
Konbowei disclosed that the crisis had persisted since his secondary school days, stressing that the failure to implement lasting solutions had prolonged the suffering of residents.
He also referenced Senator Abdul Ningi, who in his contribution to the motion, revealed that he had become aware of the Obogoro erosion problem while serving in the House of Representatives, further highlighting the decades-long nature of the challenge.
According to Konbowei, repeated letters sent to government authorities had yielded little tangible assistance, with residents receiving acknowledgement letters from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ecological Office rather than the urgent intervention required.
He explained that recent messages and updates from constituents documenting the continued destruction prompted him to bring the matter before the Senate, in a renewed effort to secure government action.
The senator expressed optimism following the Senate’s deliberations, particularly the decision to establish a committee to be headed by the Senate President to ensure that appropriate steps were taken to address the crisis.
He said the intervention should go beyond deliberations to include provisions for the erosion-control project in the national budget and consultations with key government officials, including the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Konbowei said he was encouraged by the Senate President’s position that the National Assembly must make a meaningful effort to rescue the threatened community and restore a safe living environment for its residents.
The senator also commended the Bayelsa State Government under Governor Douye Diri for measures taken to reduce flooding, including clearing blocked waterways, opening canals and addressing vulnerable areas.
However, he explained that the Obogoro situation required a different approach because the primary threat was persistent riverbank erosion driven by the force of flowing water, rather than conventional flooding alone.
The worsening situation raises concerns about further displacement, the destruction of remaining homes and infrastructure, and the possible loss of more land if urgent remedial work is delayed. Residents also face the risk of losing access to essential community facilities and their ancestral homes.
Konbowei called for decisive action to ensure that the Senate’s resolutions translate into practical intervention, warning that prolonged delays could leave Obogoro facing further devastation.
