Ondo Community Faces Extinction: N94bn Needed for Rescue

The Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission has revealed that a staggering N94 billion is required to prevent the coastal community of Aiyetoro in Ilaje Local Government Area from being completely eroded by the Atlantic Ocean. This was disclosed by the commission's chairman, Olabiyi Poroye, during the 2026 World Environment Day celebration held in Aiyetoro. Poroye emphasized the need for urgent intervention, citing the devastating impact of climate change, coastal erosion, and rising sea levels on the community. According to him, studies and geophysical surveys conducted in the affected areas have shown that the scale of destruction is beyond the commission's capacity to address alone. Poroye stated, 'The estimated cost for land reclamation in one of the communities is about N94 billion, which is enormous and highlights the magnitude of the challenge we face.' He appealed to the international community, development partners, and donor agencies to support the state's efforts in addressing the environmental crisis. The event was organized to mark World Environment Day and to draw attention to the plight of communities devastated by environmental challenges. Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Tob Loko, noted that the state government is concerned about the impact of sea incursion on residents and will continue to collaborate with OSOPADEC and other stakeholders to find lasting solutions. The traditional ruler of Aiyetoro, Oba Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi, lamented that over 80 percent of the community's landmass, homes, and public infrastructure have been lost to the sea over the past two decades. He called for urgent shoreline protection measures, sea embankments, and land reclamation projects to prevent the community's history and cultural heritage from disappearing beneath the sea.