Families displaced as erosion destroys buildings in Anambra community

By Praise Chinecherem

No fewer than six buildings have been destroyed and several families displaced by gully erosion in Ibolo, Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra state.

Residents attributed the devastating erosion to poor drainage channeling during construction of the Onitsha-Owerri road.

One of the victims, Edmond Anazodo while narrating his ordeal to newsmen said the menace had rendered his family homeless, calling on State and Federal Governments to come to their rescue.

“The erosion has swallowed six of my houses, destroyed my land, and washed away all my belongings, including my clothes and those of my children. I’m only left with only a pair of shorts.

“We’re calling on the State and Federal Governments to rescue us from the menace,” he added.

Anazodo’s brother, Nonso whose storey building was also destroyed by the erosion, recounted his losses and appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo and federal government to come to their aid to prevent further damages.

Reacting, Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi blamed the erosion menace to consequence of poor decision-making in engineering and structural works carried out to divert flood channels along the Onitsha–Owerri road.

“The highway is also under threat if the erosion is not urgently addressed. It is high time environmentalists, city planners and architects engaged in discussions on how Anambra constructs roads, channels floodwater, and protects its environment and natural habitats.

Also speaking, Mayor of Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Mr. Chimezie Obi commended the Commissioner for visiting the erosion sites to assess how the government could intervene immediately he received reports of the disaster.

While calling for urgent intervention of state and Federal Governments, Obi said the menace was beyond his government’s capacity, stressing the need for prompt action to prevent further loss of lives and destruction of property in the community.