By Obiabin Onukwugha
Stakeholders in coastal communities of Khana local government area, Rivers State, have appealed to the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Hydrocarbon Remediation Restoration Project, HYPREP, to include the removal of Nipa palma.
They complain that Nipa palms, an invasive species, which they say have taken over the positions of mangroves in the area as part of the ongoing Ogoni cleanup.
Nipa palms were introduced in the Niger Delta to solve erosion problems in the late 19th and early 20th century, but its invasive nature led to it spreading rapidly and becoming a significant threat to the region’s mangrove forests.
The group, under the auspices of Khana Coastal Communities decried the destructive effects of Nipa palms on their eco system.
The group made the plea in a press statement issued on Wednesday shortly after the inspection and survey of the creeks and coast lines of affected communities of Kwiri, Kereken, Kaa, Gwara, Sii, Kpean, Tehnnama, Bane, Kalaoku, and Opuoku in Khana Local Government Area of Ogoni.
The press statement, which was signed on behalf of the affected communities by Comrades Emmanuel Goteh Bie, Raymond Nwibani and Chief Barineka Tonwe, emphasized the need for urgent intervention to clear up the Nipa palms and replace them with mangroves which they say provide sustainable habitat for aquatic species in the affected communities.
The group commended the Federal Ministry of Environment and HYPREP for their commitment to the Ogoni clean up process and urged all stakeholders involved in the process not to renege on their complementary roles.
The read in part; “As you have seen, the Nipa fructicans has taken over our creeks, displacing native mangroves and aquatic life. The impact on our communities has been severe, with many of our people struggling to make a living due to the depletion of fish and other aquatic resources.
“We commend the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) for its efforts in restoring native mangroves in Ogoni, particularly in the Bomu community. However, we are alarmed by the unintended consequences of removing invasive Nipa fructicans, which has led to the disappearance of fish and aquatic life, threatening the livelihoods of our coastal communities.
“We believe that the removal of Nipa fructicans and replanting of native mangroves will help revive our aquatic life and sustain the livelihoods of our people.”
The statement read: “The cleanup exercise is commendable, and any delay in funding could stall the progress and undermine the efforts of all stakeholders. We urge the government to prioritize the Ogoni cleanup exercise and provide the necessary support to ensure its success.”
