Ex-Brass LGA Boss Calls on Fed Govt and Multinationals to Aid as Atlantic Ocean Surge Engulfs Sangana Community

The Chief executive officer of BE-Multi World Plus Ltd and former Chairman of Brass Local Government Area (LGA) in Bayelsa State, Hon. Bello Bina, has made a passionate plea to the federal and state governments, as well as multinational corporations, to come to the aid of Sangana community in the Brass LGA.

The community is currently facing the devastating impact of an Atlantic Ocean surge that has taken over large parts of its land.

Speaking with a TrackNews reporter over the phone, Hon. Bello Bina described how the surge began over the years and has since overrun every natural barrier in its path. He expressed grave concern that if urgent action is not taken, the entire community could be submerged by the end of this month

“We have experiencing it for the past years and it has taken over more than 25% of where it had taken before. This present one started from last Friday, it has claimed over 25% of the land,” Hon. Bello Bina said.

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He further explained, “The water has been rising and it is coming into the town. The whole of the seaside called Okologboko has been taken over, and it is now pushing directly into the town. The entire natural barrier, including the mangroves, has been overrun.”

Despite Sangana being the host community for AGBAMI FIELD, CHEVRON FIELD, FIRST E&P FIELD, CONOIL FIELD, AYALA FIELD, SHELL FIELD, BONGA FIELD, NEPL DEPT OF NNPC, MADU FIELD, and ATALA FIELD oil, multinational oil companies, and a significant contributor to the nation’s economy, Hon. Bello Bina lamented that the companies and the government have neglected the community. “They are watching while the town is being washed away by water,” he remarked.

He further described the neglect of federal NDDC and state governments with multinational oil companies as deliberate one because non oil production communities or hosting communities are seriously benefitting from from agencies and government.

Residents whose homes have been completely engulfed by the surge expressed their dismay at the neglect by the oil companies and the government in videos documenting the disaster. They called for immediate intervention to prevent further destruction of their community.

The situation in Sangana community underscores the urgent need for government and corporate intervention to address the environmental challenges facing coastal communities in Nigeria. Without swift action, the community faces the risk of being wiped out by the relentless advance of the Atlantic Ocean surge.

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“It is 25 years now since the NNPC and it’s multinational oil companies started crude oil production, yet the Nigerian state was yet to show that it honours and recognise where the company has continued to extract crude oil for four decades.

“I am calling on Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the MD of NDDC, to save a sister community, Sangana in Bayelsa State.

“In 2009, NDDC under the leadership of former MD, Mr. Timi Alaibe, awarded shore protection in Sangana but it was abandoned after 30 percent work was done in 2010

“Now, we have another Bayelsa man at the helm of affairs in NDDC

“It is baffling that Chevron has operated in our kingdom for over 47years, while AGBAMI FIELD, CHEVRON FIELD, FIRST E&P FIELD, CONOIL FIELD, AYALA FIELD, SHELL FIELD, BONGA FIELD, NEPL DEPT OF NNPC, MADU FIELD, and ATALA FIELD he added.