Anambra residents have called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the Anambra State Government to urgently find lasting solutions to the erosion menace and save their community from disaster.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that the residents in a desperate appeal cried out over a worsening erosion site along the Onitsha – Owerri Road, specifically at the New Road junction near Rojenny Games Village Oba; stretching down to Mmiri Ose in Idemili.
They held placards with various inscriptions such as: “Governor Soludo, Help Us!”, “Erosion is Killing Us”, “Vision World Estate Needs a Solution.” among others, saying that constructing a large drainage system from Onitsha – Owerri Road down to Mmiri Ose Idemili will address the challenge.
The protesters maintained that the environmental disaster has been wreaking havoc on properties and threatening lives within Vision World Estate, Uruokokwu Umuogali Oba, in Idemili South Local Government Area.
The estate’s Chairman, Mr. Joseph Mbanaso, while speaking traced the erosion problem back several years were the state government had previously addressed a damaged section of the Onitsha-Owerri Road, but the diverted drainage channel flowing into the estate has since worsened the situation.
Mr. Mbanaso revealed that the residents at the estate have spent over ₦50 million trying to control the erosion, but all efforts proved abortive.
According a Landlord, Mr. Victus Ogboogu, substandard work by the contractor and illegal sand mining by indigenes of the community have compounded the erosion threat, putting lives and properties at risk.
Adding his voice, another resident, Mr. Sabastine Ibeagwam, recounted a near-death experience when he was almost swept away by flood, and stated that multiple accidents have occurred on the affected road, with homes already collapsing due to the erosion.
