IYC Seeks NDDC Intervention ,As Water Hyacinth Takes Over Niger Delta Communities

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to intervene on the influx of water hyacinth within the Niger Delta region.

IYC declared that about 70 communities in Niger Delta region have been trapped by water hyacinth, saying the water weed has taken over the creeks and waterways.

According to a statement signed by IYC ,President, Pereotubo R. Oweilaemi, on Saturday and made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital , noted that the communities, mostly located in Egbema Kingdom and environs in Delta and Edo States, are usually trapped in the riverine areas of the Niger Delta, especially during rainy seasons.

“IYC is calling on NDDC to immediately respond to the plight of these communities. Let the Commission extends its intervention projects on water hyacinth to the Egbema Kingdom and other affected Niger Delta communities.

It pointed out that :“The riverine communities in the Niger Delta have been suffering from the perennial problem of blockade of the waterways by water hyacinth.

“Many of the communities are usually trapped in the riverine areas during this season. If not the interventions of government agencies, there would have been a big problem.

Currently, over 70 communities in Egbema Kingdom and environ both in Delta and Edo States have been suffering from this scourge. Water weeds have taken over the entire the Creeks in the Benin River and its estuaries thereby making life miserable for the inhabitants.

“As we speak now, communities such as: Ofunama, Opuama, Polobubou, Ogbodugbudo, Ogboinbiri among others in Egbema Kingdom are being trapped by the water hyacinth which has locked up the entire Creeks.

“NDDC should do all it can to save these communities from the looming humanitarian crisis arising from the scourge.

“Unless urgent steps are taken to cushion the effects, we foresee epidemic of human disaster that will be of an unimaginable proportion.”

It added that people cannot go about their lawful businesses as movements in and out of the affected communities are restricted,pointing out that all the access routes to the communities including the Sapele axis have been taken over by the floating weeds.