Oba Fedrick Akinruntan, the monarch of Ugboland, the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom has appealed to both the federal and state governments to take steps to save his kingdom from being submerged by the ocean.
He said he has written letters to the government on the need to deal with the ocean surge that is threatening the existence of riverine communities in Ilaje Local Government.
Akinruntan, represented by High Chief Felix Emayero, spoke in Ilaje at the inauguration of Molute/Jinrinwo Development Trust.
The trust, headed by Mr. Kelly Nomiye, is saddled with the responsibility of attracting development to Ilaje and other riverine communities.
Oba Akinruntan, who called for constitutional roles for traditional rulers for things to be put in place properly, lambasted oil firms operating in Ilaje for not helping the environment.
He said neglect of oil producing communities, despite continuous oil exploration, had increased sufferings of the people.
“We have been calling on the government, but no response. There is nothing traditional rulers can do.
“It is high time the government gave traditional rulers roles, because if you talk too much, they will say they want to remove the Oba.”
Nomiye said the level of neglect of Ondo oil producing communities had reached a painful threshold.
He said the multiple ecological effects of oil exploration and exploitation had made life difficult for the people.
Nomiye said: “Oil exploration, which should bring succour to the people, has become a source of pains and hardship to the people.
“We are experiencing the worst form of destruction of aquatic lives and its effects on fish farming, destruction of farm land and worst of death as well as maternal mortality as a result of lack of health care.
“There are no good schools here. We are experiencing the worst of water borne disease as a result of lack of potable water.
“We are experiencing the worst of poverty as a result of unemployment. For so long, we have experienced marginalisation and rejection.”
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
