Imo communities seek help over erosion threats
Many communities in Imo state are under severe threat of erosion devastation, and they have continued without positive outcome, to call for intervention from the Federal and state governments.
Some of them are on the verge of being sacked by gullies resulting from massive erosion.
Residents of some affected communities who spoke to SEV lamented their plights. Some of the affected communities that are almost cut off from the rest of the state due to the effect of erosion gully on their roads include Ugiri-Ike and Obohia; the road linking Ikeduru and Ahiazu Mbaise council areas are all on the verge of being cut off. The worst off is the Atta-Ugiri-Ike-Obohia road.
The Orlu–Akokwa–Uga road which links the state with Anambra is almost cut off, just like the road between Amaraku and Umuebie, Ugiri in Isiala Mbano council area of the state. The Uruala-Obibi-Ochasi road in Ideato North Council Area is at the mercy of a huge gully fast eating to cut it. The situation, it was discovered is not different from the condition and the experiences of the residents of Works layout, Spibat areas, linking the Imo State University in Owerri.
Dee Romanus Uwakwe, a resident of Amaraku area said: “It is important that you people draw the attention of the authorities to the condition of this road that will soon cave into the gully if nothing is done urgently. The rains are coming heavily and it is eating deeply under the road.
“We are in danger. If this road is cut off where do they want us to use to travel to our homes? We should not wait until evil starts happening before they come for our help.
“The worst of it is that at night it is a very big challenge for motorists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. They can fall into this gully and it becomes a problem”.
The residents of Spibat, Works Layouts, Akwakuma, and Amakohia areas, said that their experience with erosion has become perennial with the coming of the rains. A landlord in the area, Nze Morris, said: “It looks as if we are abandoned. Nothing shows that the authorities are interested in these areas. We are suffering. Once it rains our roads will be flooded. Just visit some of the streets inside these areas that I mentioned to you.
“I want you to visit Akwakuma, Amakohia, Spibat, and others to see for yourself. I want you to come any time it rains. You will shed tears to see what we are passing through”.
Also, recounting their experiences on how flood forced them away from their homes, in Umuchima community, Ideato South Local Government Area, Imo State, one of the residents, Justice Cannice Omeonu (rtd), lamented that the building, which I inherited from his father and renovated to taste, was submerged in the gully measuring over 45 feet. Also affected by the destruction that took place last week was his N6 million worth of Obi (palace) where he usually receives and entertains his visitors as culture demands as the oldest of my siblings.
“The structures, which I built with my life savings, were swept away by the devastating erosion, which ravaged the entire community and rendered several people homeless”.
While the residents said they were still awaiting a lasting solution, to the continuous flood threatening their homes, the government of Imo state said one of the ways that it intends to tackle flood is the construction of a balloon technology drainage system and Ndi Imo is eagerly waiting for it.
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