Okochi Village, Okpuno in Awka South Local Government Area has called for urgent government intervention to the menace of gully erosion threatening to cut roads and destroy buildings in the community.
The gully erosion, observed to have already swallowed perimeter fences and other structures on it’s path, is also on the verge of caving-in the major road within the area, connecting different parts of the community.
According to the Chairman of Okochi village, Chief Ekene Obiorah, the situation has become worrisome and tiring since four years the erosion became noticeable, saying that they have spent a lot within their means to curtail the erosion, all to no avail, as it keeps expanding and causing more havocs.
Chief Obiorah noted that the road being threatened by the erosion is strategic to the community’s existence and that the area also serves as village square for their activities and polling booth during elections, explaining that constructing a drainage that would empty in a nearby river would remedy the situation.
Mr. Ifeanyi Anakwude, whose house is seriously threatened by the erosion, said another heavy rain would see the erosion destroy buildings and the access road, affecting St. Mary’s Catholic Church within and also cause insecurity in the area.
He stated that relevant government offices had been informed for intervention but they are yet to get a response, adding that urgent intervention is needed to remedy the situation.
A farmer in the area, Mrs. Theresa Okonkwo, also explained that the erosion has affected her badly, including her house and her agro business; with a lot of personal resources already spent to address the challenge, all to no avail.
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