Opobo Seashore Protection. The Kalama Saga

"Either you deal with what is the reality or you can be sure that the reality is going to deal with you." - Alex Haley

I can assure you that the problem of Erosion is a reality and if overlooked, the quote above could become correct.

If you live in a low-lying coastal community, you probably already know whether your home is in a floodplain. Perhaps you've seen pictures or maps that show all the land that could be submerged if global warming causes the sea to rise a few feet. Do you really believe that your home or community could be flooded? Or do you think that someone--maybe the government, maybe you--will do something to protect these places?

Kalama is currently endangered with the possibility of being overtaken by the Sea. I went there more than twice during my visit to Opobo recently and made a non-technical analysis of the existing level of damage. The extent of damage is better seen than described. I asked questions, and someone who cared to respond said the problem of Kalama erosion is beyond the jurisdiction of the local government as funds might not be enough to handle the project. I fairly agreed with him, but the excuse was as dumb as a dead corpse. Lack of funds is not same as the creation of awareness, craving the indulgence of either the State or Federal government to swiftly look into the matter, and /or other inventive ways to resolve the matter.

Perhaps, the consequence of this problem would be far more colossal than the current situation. Then we will begin to talk about reliefs materials, relocation, loss of lives and properties, it will become headlines for major international news media which on the long run would have an awful and wrong effect on the state and country at large. Our ancestral pride could be lost, plus many other ugly outcomes.

We cannot allow the development or the [Seashore] protection of our community rest on the shoulders of a few good spirited individuals who have been, through their good offices contributing immeasurably to the expansion, improvement and empowerment of our people. I do not think they can do everything as single individuals. We all must do our own parts. We can all collectively help encourage this Cause. The United Nations Environmental Agency will have to go through a string of some international protocols to commence their purported support for this local environmental fiasco. Waiting for them is like praying for the Lord to help kill a fly.

Let us stand up and think and work.

God Bless the King Jaja Dynasty

God bless Opobo Kingdom,

God Bless Rivers State,

God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Sobere Owengospel Opusunju

International Coordinator

Save Opobo Foundation

Aka Opobians on Facebook.