By Mokwugwo Solomon
Residents of Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State are facing a growing erosion crisis, with more than 300 buildings reportedly under threat.
Over 200 women from the community yesterday visited the gully erosion site at Ugumuma village, where they appealed to the government for urgent intervention.
Their protest coincided with a visit by the senator representing Anambra South, Chief Victor Umeh, who inspected the devastation and the emergency measures being undertaken by an illustrious son of the community, Engr. Nnamdi Eric Anyamele.
A resident, Ngozi, said the erosion started gradually from the nearby Idemili River, allegedly worsened by sand-mining activities, but had now extended into residential areas.
She said some residents had already started moving their belongings to safer locations, fearing that further rainfall could worsen the situation.
President General of the Obosi Development Union, Mr. Chimezie Obi, said the community had made several efforts to contain the erosion without success. He expressed hope that Senator Umeh’s visit would attract government intervention.
Anyamele, whose property is also threatened, said he and other residents had previously spent heavily to control the erosion, but flooding destroyed the measures. He disclosed that he had now mobilised engineers from Abuja for an emergency intervention.
The Principal of Union Secondary School, Ugumuma, Mrs. Ebere Comfort Onugha, also appealed for urgent assistance, saying erosion was almost cutting off the road leading to the school.
Senator Umeh sympathised with the affected residents and commended Anyamele for his intervention. He promised to liaise with relevant Senate committees and federal agencies to seek a lasting solution.
An engineer at the site, Mr. Meze Andrew, said the gully was about 12 metres deep and 200 metres long, stressing that its size was beyond what individuals could handle. He assured that his firm would work to control the erosion pending government intervention.
Tags: Obosi, Erosion, Anambra
