BY Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

Renowned environmentalist,  Dr. Woyinkuro Adaga has warned that with the constant rise in the global sea level, Bayelsa State with the longest coastline among the littoral states in Nigeria stand the risk of being lost to the surging sea.

Dr. Adaga who is also Head of Environment, Ministry of Environment, spoke at the maiden summit on the environment and launching of the Bayelsa Fresh Air Initiative/Climate Change Policy held in Yenagoa. He stated that communities such as Akassa, Sangana, Agge and Brass which occupied the lowest latitude are most vulnerable to the ocean threat

“At a length of 203km, Bayelsa State has the longest coastline among all the littoral states in Nigeria and is vulnerable to hazards associated with sea level rise such as waves and ocean currents, tidal activity and storm surges,” he said.

Lamenting the constant rise in the sea level he noted with sadness that the state with thirteen opening to the Atlantic ocean, the highest in the fragile Niger Delta, “anytime the ocean goes wild communities such as Akassa, Sangana, Agge and Brass would be the first to go under the sea.”

The environmentalist said already these communities have lost a greater percentage of their landmass to the surging sea.

Enumerating some of the environmental issues affecting the state to include gas flaring, oil pollution and the resultant problems of ecosystem destabilization, heat stress and their effects on fresh water and aquatic lives he lamented what he described as the lack of proper compliance with environmental laws and urban planning, uncontrolled logging aggravated by lack of re-planting among others.

According to him, the state has experienced more oil spills than any other state in the Niger Delta making it’s environment the most devastated in the region.

This development and the global sea threat  he noted informed the launching of the Bayelsa State Fresh Air Initiative/ Climate Change Policy aimed at preserving the environment.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Environment, Hon Robert Enogha reinforced the fear of the environmentalist saying, “Bayelsa is one of the most environmentally damaged and ecologically abused states as result of crude oil exploration and exploitation by oil prospecting companies.