Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has voiced significant concern over the devastating impact of flooding and erosion on the State’s inhabitants, particularly those residing in coastal communities.
The governor expressed his worry over the consequences of flood and erosion on human life, property, and the environment.
Fubara made the remarks in Port Harcourt on Tuesday during the launch of the book, ‘Coastal Zone Flooding And Erosion in Developing Communities, Principles, Cases and Strategies,’ authored by Emeritus Professor Wiston Bell-Gam.
The governor was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Benibo Anabraba. He affirmed that his administration is committed to implementing and encouraging adaptation strategies to combat the rising environmental threat.
“The Rivers State Government will continue to undertake and encourage adaptation strategies, such as construction of seawalls and breakers, canals and channels, restoring coastal ecology and ecosystem for coastal resilience and where necessary, the relocation of communities on the coastline,” Fubara stated.
He confirmed that these issues are already receiving urgent attention, noting the recent approval for the construction of shoreline protection along the coastlines of more than five communities in both Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Fubara urged all stakeholders to advocate for global mitigation strategies, such as the reduction of Greenhouse Gas emissions that contribute to climate change and rising sea levels.
He advocated for the promotion of clean energy and a shift away from fossil fuels.
Domestically, the governor cautioned residents to stop activities that worsen the problem, including building on and along natural water courses, and engaging in “indiscriminate sea mining and dredging activities on our coastline without consideration for mangroves and swamps.”
The book launch featured remarks from distinguished guests, including King Alfred Ditte-Spiff, a former Military Governor of the old Rivers State and the Amayanabo of Twon Brass.
King Ditte-Spiff stated that the book is timely, stressing that “Global warming is real,” and if not addressed globally, coastal areas face the threat of submergence.
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He described the condition of Nigeria’s coastline as “shocking,” with many mangroves already lost.
The book’s reviewer, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, Vice Chancellor of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Ondo State, explained that the 14-chapter work fills a critical literary gap in knowledge about coastal flooding and erosion in developing communities.
He highlighted that the book is based on detailed field investigation and is set apart by its thorough consideration of flood and erosion control case studies from around the world.
