By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
Two historic communities in Bayelsa State, Famgbe and Obogoro in the Atissa Kingdom, are facing the threat of extinction as relentless erosion continues to destroy homes, displace families, and edge closer to the revered Atissa King’s Palace in Obogoro.
The Atissa Youth Council, led by Comrade Josiah Osomuze, has issued a passionate appeal to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and its Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, calling for immediate action to revive the long-abandoned Famgbe/Obogoro land reclamation project.
The project, initiated by the NDDC over 11 years ago, was designed to shield the communities from erosion but was stalled due to alleged engineering defects and administrative delays. Since then, residents have continued to lose homes, properties worth billions of naira, and, in some cases, lives.
“With the floods approaching, our people live in fear. They live on the riverbank, yet our boys and girls can’t even fetch water from the river,” Osomuze lamented, describing the worsening plight of the people.
The youth council acknowledged Dr. Ogbuku’s efforts through initiatives like Operation Light Up Niger Delta, which provided solar-powered street lighting across the region. However, they urged him to bring the same commitment to resolving the erosion crisis.
The looming loss of the Atissa King’s Palace, they warned, would not only be a physical disaster but also a cultural and spiritual tragedy, which Osomuze described as a “taboo” that would strip the kingdom of its dignity.
The council vowed to sustain pressure until the reclamation project resumes, declaring that their voices would continue to echo in the NDDC’s boardrooms and the Senate Committee on NDDC.
“We refuse to believe that our demand is beyond the scope of the NDDC’s mandate. For the people of Famgbe and Obogoro, the time to act is not tomorrow — it is now,” Osomuze said.
