OGULAGHA MONARCH VISITS EPO, SEEKS URGENT INTERVENTION TO SALVAGE COASTAL EROSION IN THE COMMUNITY

ECOLOGICAL PROJECT OFFICE

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION

PRESS RELEASE

OGULAGHA MONARCH VISITS EPO, SEEKS URGENT INTERVENTION TO SALVAGE COASTAL EROSION IN THE COMMUNITY.

The Permanent Secretary, Ecological Project Office (EPO), Malam Shehu Ibrahim, mni,  yesterday,Tuesday, 29th November, 2022, received in audience a delegation led by His Royal Majesty, Elder, (Capt) Joseph I. Timiyan, Torububoui Agbonu 111. The Ebenaneowei of Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State to his office.

His Royal Majesty, ably represented by High Chief William Igere, (The Prime Minister), Bolowei of Ogulagha Kingdom was in EPO to brief the Permanent Secretary on the ravaging coastal erosion and sea encroachment threatening the lives and property of the community and to seek EPO’s speedy intervention to salvage the situation.

He said Ogulagha Kingdom was a strategic community, being a maritime gateway and a hub for maritime activities with huge deposits of crude oil, hydro-carbons and gas reserves, making it the highest Oil producing area in Delta state. In addition, he said over six International oil companies as well as nine Oil flow- stations of Gas Reserves and Gas projects, Oil Wells and Pipelines are located within the community also making it a strategic contributor to the nation’s economic and national developments.

Elder Timiyan described the kingdom as an ancient town, lying on both sides of the Estuary of the forcados river, where it meets with the Atlantic Ocean, stating that the ‘good news is that the people are very hospitable, and the land and waters are blessed by the Almighty God with huge deposits of crude Oil hydro-carbons and Gas reserves”, he added.

The Permanent Secretary in his remarks, expressed delight with the peaceful approach and manner the people have conducted themselves over the years with such enormous deposits of natural resources in the land. He acknowledged that the resources had indeed contributed to the nation’s economy and development.

He however explained that Ecological issues were the collective responsibilities and the fund fairly shared to the three tiers of government: Federal, States and the Local Governments and thus needed the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders in tackling the menace.

The Permanent Secretary further explained that as a Federal Government Ecological Office, its intervention efforts are usually spread evenly across the nation to ensure equity and fairness to all. He explained that the moment a community or state has benefited from a project at a particular time, the next round of intervention will certainly go to another state within the particular geo- political zone and advised the community to exercise patience as government will do the needful.

Present at the event included: Directors; Soil Erosion and Flood Control, Abubarkar Takuma, Drought Desertification and Management Services, Haruna Bello, Special Duties, Yakubu Habu and that of Procurement, Abdullahi Mohammed. While the monarch was accompanied by the Secretary of the Council, Chief Larry Omula  Adanike, Pere-Fungewei of Ogulagha Kingdom and other members of the traditional Council.

The Perm Secretary, Malam Shehu Ibrahim, mni in a handshake with the representatives of HRM, High Chief  William Igere, the Bolouwei of Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu LGA, Delta State

Reading HRM address at the event is the Secretary of the Traditional Council, Chief Larry Omula Adanike, Pere- of Ogulagha Kingdom  Fungewei( Standing)  and EPO Directors,(Right)

Perm Sec, Malam Shehu Ibrahim , mni with the delegation from Ogulagha Kingdom.

The Perm Sec, Malam Shehu Ibrahim with a cross section of the delegation from Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu LGA, Delta State.

Perm Sec, Malam Shehu Ibrahim, mni(middle), EPO Directors(Right) and the Ogulagha Kingdom delegation(left)

Perm Sec, Malam Shehu Ibrahim, mni receiving a souvenir from the representative of HRM,High Chief William Igere, the Bolouwei of Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu LGA, Delta State.

Eno Olotu (Mrs)

Dep Director, (Press &Public Relations)

30/11/2022