The Ondo State House of Assembly has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission and other Federal Government interventionist agencies to as a matter of urgency come to the rescue of victims of sea-surge in Ayetoro community in Ilaje Local Government area of Ondo State.
No fewer than two thousand residents of the seaside community were displaced recently following a sea-surge that ravaged the area.
While lamenting the plight of his Constituents, the Lawmaker representing Ilaje State Constituency 1, Honourable Abayomi Akinruntan noted that some contractors saddled with the dredging of the sea in the past bolted away after being mobilised.
Akinruntan maintained that his people now live in fear that the historical Ayetoro Community might soon go into extinction if urgent steps were not taken to redress the threat of recurring cases of sea-surge.
Speaker of the House, Rt Honourable (Prophet) Oleyelogun Bamidele David, urged Honourable members of the House to debate the issue following a motion to that effect moved by the Majority Leader, Honourable Ogunmolasuyi Oluwole and seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Honourable (Revd) Aderoboye Samuel Ademoye.
Speaking under motion of public urgent importance, all the lawmakers noted that the historical Ayetoro was fast drifting into extinction following recurring cases of sea-surge, adding that urgent action must be taken to stop the ugly trend.
While rebuking the dredging companies that abandoned the project after being mobilised, the lawmakers called on NDDC, NIMASA, NEWMAP among other interventionist agencies as well as Federal and State governments to come to the rescue of the Ayetoro Community.
The lawmakers stressed the need to raise an adhoc committee to visit the community for “on the spot assessment” and report back to the House.
In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Honourable (Prophet) Oleyelogun Bamidele David sympathised with the Ayetoro Community over the incident which had displaced many residents.
He called for urgent intervention by the Federal Government towards stemming the tide of ocean-surge in the area.
Oleyelogun stressed the need to provide relief materials to assuage the feeling of the displaced people while adequate control mechanism should be put in place to prevent incessant sea-surge in Ayetoro Community.
A committee chaired by Honourable Olugbenga Omole was inaugurated to visit Ayetoro for “on the spot assessment” and report back to the House.
The House equally summoned the state Ministry of Environment and NEWMAP to explain their efforts at controlling the recurring natural disaster in the area.
Meanwhile the Speaker has announced the inauguration of standing committees of the House to enhance smooth operation and efficiency in service delivery
Signed:
Akogun Olugbenga Omole
Chairman House Committee on Information,Youth and Sport Development.