By Uzo Ugwunze

Residents of Umusiome Community in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State have made a passionate appeal to the state government to urgently intervene in the devastating flood and gully erosion ravaging their community.

The residents, under the umbrella of the Umusiome Central Landlords Association, invited the Anambra State Commissioner for Works, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, alongside the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, to inspect the flood-ravaged Ogbeudo Road and the expanding gully erosion site within the premises of Government Technical College (GTC), Nkpor.

Leading the appeal were the Chairman of Umusiome Central Landlords Association, Chief Sir Daniel Alaneme, the Chairman of the inspection committee, Remy Ozoemena Nwachi, and the President-General of Nkpor, Chief Godwin Amadike, who urged the commissioners to fast-track the reconstruction of the Ogbeudo-GTC-Ogidi Road and permanently tackle the erosion menace.

According to the community leaders, residents have spent millions of naira through self-help efforts to control the floodwaters flowing from Ogbeudo Road towards Ogidi and Abatete, but the damage has become overwhelming.

“We have done everything within our capacity to save our community, but the erosion has gone beyond what residents can handle. We need urgent government intervention before lives and properties are lost,” they appealed.

The deteriorating roads have become virtually impassable, disrupting movement for motorists, pedestrians and businesses while posing daily risks to residents.

During the inspection on July 9, 2026, Commissioner for Works, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, assured the community that the Soludo administration had already captured the area for intervention under its Phase One road infrastructure programme.

“Governor Chukwuma Soludo is committed to providing durable infrastructure across Anambra. I will ensure that Ogbeudo Road is included among the roads slated for reconstruction,” Ezeobi assured.

However, the commissioner stressed that sustainable development also depends on citizens fulfilling their civic responsibilities, particularly tax compliance.

“Many Anambra residents are successful business owners, yet some pay as little as ₦35,000 annually in taxes while expecting government to execute multi-billion-naira projects. Development requires collective responsibility,” he said.

Ezeobi disclosed plans to engage the Executive Director of the Anambra State Inland Revenue Service (AIRS) in a meeting with landlords and tenants in Nkpor to encourage improved tax compliance.

“Every kobo generated is meant to improve the living conditions of Ndi Anambra through quality infrastructure and public services,” he added.

Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, also expressed concern over the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels, describing the practice as one of the major causes of flooding and erosion in the area.

“Using refuse to block erosion is not a solution. It worsens flooding by obstructing drainage channels, forcing water to carve new destructive paths that damage roads and surrounding communities,” Aguiyi warned.

He urged residents who pay environmental sanitation levies to hold their local government authorities and waste management contractors accountable for proper refuse evacuation rather than resorting to illegal dumping.

The commissioners further directed communities to identify and remove structures erected on natural waterways, noting that such developments obstruct the free flow of stormwater and significantly worsen flooding and erosion.

One of the most emotional moments of the inspection came when students of Government Technical College (GTC), Nkpor staged a peaceful demonstration, pleading with the government to save their school from the advancing gully.

Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the students appealed for immediate intervention, warning that the collapsing school fence and widening erosion now pose a serious threat to classrooms, teachers and learners.

For residents of Umusiome, the message was unanimous and urgent: government action can no longer wait.