Residents of the riverine community of Ayetoro in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo state, South-West Nigeria are seeking a permanent solution to the perennial ocean surge ravaging the area.
The call is coming at a time over 5,000 displaced residents of the community are said to be taking refuge in neighbouring towns and villages in the area as a result of the latest ocean surge. This is because the Ondo State Government is seeking the support of the Federal Government and international community to end the yearly disaster.
It is a 20 minutes boat journey from the shore of Ugbo Nla to the Ayetoro community, in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State which was founded in 1947 and is basically communal. It is not the first time AIT.live crew will be visiting this community which on a yearly basis faces incidents of ocean surges.
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According to some of the people, no fewer than 7% of the residents have fled to different settlements largely due to the ravaging ocean surge, with family houses, schools, hospitals and churches submerged in the process.
The people of Aiyetoro, known for their advanced fishery, transportation, and marine business are now living as displaced persons in neighbouring communities such as Igbokoda, Ese-Odo, Okitipupa and Irele despite the inconveniences.
While appealing to the government for urgent intervention, the community also called on relevant aid agencies to save their ancestral home and heritage, which they say is on the verge of extinction.
The unending incidents of ocean surges in the area have raised questions on the credibility of action plans of the government to end the devastating impact of the environmental challenge.
According to the State Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa who is also the Chairman of the Committee set up to look into the perennial surge, a permanent solution will cost close to N100 billion A cost he says the State Government alone cannot handle.
Residents of Ayetoro say despite the hardship faced so far, they are not ready to quit their ancestral land, which is why they are renewing the call for a permanent solution to the series of incidents, which they say have led to the destruction of property worth millions of Naira.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
