Coastal Areas Development Agency Bill sent to Gov. Okowa

A bill seeking to establish Coastal Areas Development Agency has been sent to the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.

The Bill was initiated by a community leader and an environmental rights activist, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, who hails from the Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta state.

It was received at the office of the Delta State Government House, Asaba and another copy of the bill was received by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly on behalf of the State legislature on Jan. 22, 2020.

The Bill is in line with the demands by Deltans in the coastal communities seeking a legislation to create an agency that will fast track the development of coastal communities in the state.

The Bill was preceded by several media reports and public opinions calling on the Delta State Government to create an interventionist agency that would enhance the development of the oil rich riverine communities of Delta State.

The coastal communities are the (live) wire and resource base of Delta State, therefore they deserve a fair share of government support and access to basic social amenities. It is sad that billions of naira generated from the riverine environment are used to develop other areas thereby leaving the coastal communities undeveloped.