LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Residents of Amamba Uzuakoli Autonomous Community, have lamented the destruction of two-storey building caused by erosion in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
Speaking with journalist, at the Uzoamaewu erosion site, the President General of the Community, Chilasa Kanu, said all effort by the community, to put the erosion under control had proved abortive.
He said that, so far, five houses, including three bungalows and two 2-storey buildings, had been claimed by gully erosion in the community.
READ ALSO: Woman Trapped As Two-Storey Building Collapses In Enugu
According to him occupants of about 15 other buildings have deserted the community for fear of the unknown.
The PG who said that the community had been overwhelmed by the erosion menace appealed for quick and permanent Government intervention.
He regretted that every effort by the community to get the attention of the previous administration fell on deaf ears.
“This erosion started about four years ago, and the community has done everything humanly possible to see if we can put a stop to the menace but without success.
“We have spent over N40 million with the collaborative efforts of our sons and daughters in the diaspora but up till now there is no hope yet.
“All the pleas we made to the previous administration under Gov Okezie Ikpeazu yielded no result.
READ ALSO: Youths Lament Abandoned Projects, Seek Sanwo-Olu’s Intervention In Lagos Community
“No intervention whatsoever has come to us either from the Federal or State Government. Last year the Governor sent his Deputy who came here and told us that erosion control is the job of the Federal Government, and he left.
“Our House of Representatives member, Ben Kalu who is now the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives also visited but did nothing.
“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu also came, saw it, and did nothing. Since then no intervention has come from anybody and the menace is getting worse.”
On the devastating effects of the erosion, the PG said that the agrarian community could no longer access their farms as the gully has also cut off their farm road.
Uzuakoli is a major cassava and corn-producing community in Abia State.
“We no longer go to the farm because our farm road has been cut off by this erosion. Besides, the erosion has rendered many families homeless.
READ ALSO: Five Killed, Over 170 Buildings Burnt In Imo State
“There is a two-storey building over there: It collapsed yesterday. The occupants have since packed out. Many locals have deserted the community and are now squatting with their relations in Umuahia and neighbouring towns.
“There are also many houses there that their owners have deserted. If nothing urgent is done in the coming days many more houses will collapse as the erosion is coming with speed. Maybe by the end of this rainy season, the entire community may look for a place to go”.
He further appealed to Gov. Alex Otti to quickly come to their aid to save them from further pain.
It was gathered that several buildings in the community are inaccessible as their only access road has split into two making it difficult for anybody to get closer.
