Abuloma Community in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State have called  on the Niger Delta Development Commission to come to the rescue of its jetty, which it said was in a deplorable condition as a result of the haphazard job done by one of its contractors.

Youth President of Abuloma Community, Patrick Semenibika told Kristina Reports on Thursday, January 25, 2024, during a telephone chat that the bridge is wearing out because the job was not done well, adding that the acidic nature of the salt water demands thoroughness when carrying out such project.

“When they were doing the piling, the pipe was not properly cast and the acidic nature of the salt water is highly intensive. This is why it is chopping up the pipe and we see the rods, anytime from now, the jetty might collapse.”

Semenibika, however, expressed concern that since the bridge was jetty was built there has been no maintenance, adding that it is not a project that the community can maintain, blaming the Community Development Committee Chairman for not monitoring the job.

“The community cannot maintain this kind of project, it is the duty of the CDC chairman to monitor the job and see the scope it is covering.”

“The only solution is to bring a proper engineer that will come and evaluate the situation and suggest either to immediately form new pipes or something because it is only a professional that can do that job.”

Semenibika also told Kristina reports that since it started depleting, NDDC has been alerted but no response from them describing it as negligence on their part. He added that the only remedy that has been employed was to disallow people from using the jetty when the tide has ebbed.

“What we do is that when the water dries, they don’t use the jetty, they go down and get into the flying boat or the stick boat, that is the only thing the community can do”

Reacting, CEO of Obulum Media, Iweriso Velvet told Kristina Reports that the situation is beyond the capacity of the community and several times, letters have been written to NDDC but it seems like all pleas are falling on deaf ears.

“I know severally, the CDC has written letters to NDDC calling them to come to the aid of the passengers and boat users but they have not been responding”

Speaking also, a passenger who preferred anonymity said that it poses a threat to human life, and that something should be done.

” I recalled what happened to Isaka Jetty, how the jetty collapsed, this is exactly what is about to play out, something has to be done, let this matter be taken to relevant authorities so they can come to our aid.”

In another chat, a young man who refuse to disclose his identity lamented on the negligence of the relevant authorities towards the deplorable situation.

“This thing has been like this for long, we have chiefs, and other traditional personalities faring this boat and taking these routes, will they say they are no seeing it.?”