The Senate has urged the Nigerian Government to urgently intervene to protect the Aiyetoro community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State and other vulnerable coastal communities from further destruction caused by Atlantic Ocean surges.
The Legislature warned that continued sea incursion threatens lives, livelihoods, public infrastructure, and the cultural heritage of the historic coastal settlement, with reports indicating that approximately 80 per cent of buildings in Aiyetoro have been lost to the advancing ocean.
The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Senator Dayo Faduyile, who called for immediate and comprehensive shoreline protection measures to save the community from further devastation.
The Senate urged the Nigerian Government, through the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other relevant agencies, to collaborate with the Ondo State Government and the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) to implement a comprehensive, adequately funded shoreline protection programme.
It also called for a transparent review of previous and ongoing shoreline protection contracts in Aiyetoro, including their funding, implementation status, outstanding obligations and completion timelines, to address reported delays and ensure the effective delivery of the projects.
Expressing concern over the scale of destruction, the lawmakers noted that the incursion had affected homes, schools, healthcare facilities, places of worship and traditional institutions, leaving residents increasingly vulnerable to displacement and the loss of their livelihoods.
The Senate further urged the Nigerian Government to explore appropriate budgetary provisions and international climate adaptation financing to support sustainable coastal protection, land reclamation where technically feasible, and the restoration of essential community infrastructure.
It also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and relevant state authorities to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to affected residents, including access to safe water, healthcare services and temporary shelter for those whose homes and livelihoods are threatened by the advancing ocean.
To ensure effective implementation of the resolutions, the Senate mandated its Committees on Environment, Niger Delta Development Commission and Special Duties to liaise with relevant ministries, agencies and stakeholders, monitor progress and report back to the chamber within four weeks for further legislative action.
The Committee on Legislative Compliance was also directed to monitor compliance with the resolutions and report its findings accordingly.
The lawmakers warned that further delays could result in additional losses of life, property and livelihoods, as well as the destruction of cultural heritage, while worsening the humanitarian and environmental conditions of vulnerable residents, particularly women, children and elderly persons.
The Senate stressed that urgent government intervention, transparent project implementation and effective legislative oversight were essential to protecting Aiyetoro and other vulnerable coastal communities from further environmental devastation.
