Residents of at least 20 coastal communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State will stage a peaceful protest on Thursday, August 6, to demand urgent intervention over what they describe as a worsening environmental and humanitarian crisis threatening their communities.
The protest, tagged “Operation Save Ilaje: Protect Our Coastal Communities from Extinction,” is being organised by the Coalition of Ilaje Ravaged Communities with advocacy support from the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, CAPPA.
Scheduled to hold at 9 a.m. at the Ilaje Local Government Headquarters in Igbokoda, the demonstration is expected to bring together residents from communities including Ayetoro, Awoye, Mese, Gbagira, Jiringho, Ilowo, Ilepete, Idiogba, Oroto, Alagbon, Erunona, Olotu, Yaye, Womitenren, Ogboti, Lepe, Ehinmore, Abetobo and Abereke.
The protesters said the action is aimed at drawing the attention of the Federal and Ondo State Governments to the devastating effects of ocean surges, coastal erosion, oil spills and environmental degradation, which they say have continued to threaten lives, livelihoods and the survival of coastal settlements.
According to the organisers, decades of rising sea levels, shoreline erosion and pollution have destroyed homes, farmlands, fishing grounds and other means of livelihood across the Ilaje coastline, with communities such as Ayetoro and Abereke facing increasing displacement as residents lose their ancestral homes.
The affected communities are demanding immediate measures to halt further coastal erosion and sea incursions, the construction of scientifically designed coastal protection infrastructure, comprehensive environmental assessments and clean-up of oil-polluted areas, as well as accountability and remediation by companies responsible for environmental damage.
They are also calling for adequate compensation and livelihood restoration for affected residents, urgent protection of fishing grounds and aquatic ecosystems, and greater transparency and community participation in government interventions affecting the Ilaje coastline.
The organisers urged the media and other stakeholders to support efforts to draw national attention to the environmental challenges facing the area and the need for sustainable solutions to protect Nigeria’s vulnerable coastal communities from further degradation.