Breaking News: Landslide Strikes Akugbene: A Wake-Up Call for Swift Action on Shoreline Protection
🌊 Landslide Strikes Akugbene: A Wake-Up Call for Swift Action on Shoreline Protection
A Crisis Unfolds on the Banks of the Forcados River
The serene riverine town of Akugbene has been shaken—literally—by a recent landslide that tore through parts of its vulnerable shoreline. As waters surged and earth gave way, homes and livelihoods were once again placed on the brink. This wasn’t just a natural disaster—it was a man-made failure, long in the making.
A Promised Project, Left Hanging
The Akugbene Shoreline Protection Project, once a beacon of hope, now stands as a reminder of unfulfilled promises. Initially awarded to Best Amandi Limited (an Israeli firm), the project stalled before construction ever began. Reassigned to Complete Unit Plc, the local contractor made some progress, but soon hit a wall:
Pipes sank into hidden underground voids.
Materials did not meet the unique structural needs of the area.
A recommendation to switch to Reno Mattress (rock piling) has sat waiting for approval since 2022.
The result? An unfinished embankment—and a community left exposed.
Erosion, Reclamation, and Now… Disaster
Despite the NDDC’s sand-filling and land reclamation efforts in the area, nature had other plans. Years of erosion met weeks of rain—and the result was the landslide that Akugbene residents had long feared.
This wasn’t just soil falling into the river. It was the collapse of trust in a system that’s supposed to protect its people.
Voices from the Community
“We’re grateful for what has been done so far,” said one community leader, “but gratitude won’t stop the river from swallowing our homes. We need the project finished—urgently.”
The people of Akugbene are not just asking for help. They are demanding accountability.
What Needs to Happen Now
Here’s what we, and every concerned stakeholder, should be pushing for:
Time Is Running Out
The Akugbene landslide is not just an isolated event. It is a warning shot—for Akugbene, for Bomadi LGA, and for every coastal settlement in the Niger Delta. If action isn’t taken now, the next disaster won’t just be a landslide. It could be a full-blown humanitarian crisis.
📢 Let’s keep the conversation going.
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