The people of Amamba, Ngwu, Amankwo, Agbazu and Eluama in Uzuakoli, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, have raised alarm over the devastating impact of gully erosion, which has destroyed storey buildings, bungalows and farmlands while posing a serious threat to lives and property.
The affected communities appealed to the Federal Government, Abia State Government and Bende Local Government Council to urgently intervene and save residents from the worsening environmental disaster.
Those who spoke included the President General of Amamba Community, Hon. Sir Nelson Umezurike, the President General of Eluama Community, Onyebinanma Sunday Onyebinanma, as well as victims Chisaraokwu Onyeanusi, Okechukwu Nwosu and Mrs. Ihekwumere Nnenneya Chikereze.
Speaking to the press at the erosion sites, the community leaders clarified that their gathering was not a protest but an appeal aimed at drawing the attention of government and relevant agencies to the magnitude of the crisis.
“We are not protesting. What we are doing is using this opportunity to draw the attention of government to the frustration we are facing. If we wanted to protest, we would have gone to the main road,” Umezurike said.
The communities commended members of the media for visiting the affected areas, expressing hope that extensive coverage would help attract urgent government intervention.
According to Umezurike, the affected area was originally planned as a residential layout where many residents had already built their homes before the erosion began. He explained that the community initially spent more than ₦7 million on temporary erosion control measures, but the intervention was washed away within weeks by heavy floodwaters.
He blamed the worsening erosion on poor drainage construction by contractors that handled an internal road project, alleging that the drainage channel was terminated without being connected to the proper discharge point despite their appeal.
“When we asked the contractors to connect the drainage to the appropriate discharge channel, our efforts yielded no result. That marked the beginning of this disaster,” he said.
He further disclosed that in 2019, residents contributed over ₦60 million for another erosion control project after seven houses had already collapsed. However, the intervention also failed because of the overwhelming volume of floodwater.
Umezurike alleged that another road contractor later repeated the same mistake on a different section of the community by leaving drainage channels unconnected despite repeated appeals for corrective measures, thereby worsening the erosion.
Umezurike acknowledged the efforts of political leaders, including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Governor Alex Otti through his representatives, and the member representing the area in the Abia State House of Assembly, for drawing attention to the problem.
However, he maintained that the level of destruction had gone beyond what the community could manage on its own.
The community leaders therefore appealed to the Ecological Project Office, the Presidency, the National Assembly, the Abia State Government and Bende Local Government Council to urgently address the environmental crisis.
“We are appealing to all levels of government to intervene because protecting the lives and property of citizens is one of the primary responsibilities of government. We believe we have a listening government, and we are pleading for urgent action,” he said.
He revealed that the erosion had already swallowed about seven buildings, displaced several families and continued to expand with every rainfall, leaving residents in constant fear.
“This place has rendered people homeless. Anytime it rains, we cannot sleep with our two eyes closed because the erosion keeps expanding,” he lamented.
Umezurike added that although the community had provided temporary assistance to displaced residents, many families had relocated to nearby towns while awaiting government intervention.
Victims of the disaster also made emotional appeals for immediate action, saying they now live in fear because of the continuous expansion of the gully.
Speaking to journalists during a visit to the erosion site, Chisaraokwu Onyeanusi, Okechukwu Nwosu and Mrs. Ihekwumere Nnenneya Chikereze said residents were no longer safe in their homes as the erosion worsened after every rainfall.
“We are pleading with the government to come to our rescue. It is no longer easy for us. We are not finding it easy anymore. The situation is becoming more difficult every day,” she said.
They explained that the erosion had become so dangerous that many residents were afraid to go close to the affected area for fear that more land could collapse at any moment.
“I am even scared to go near the place. We don’t know what will happen next week because the erosion is getting worse,” she lamented.
They appealed to the government to undertake permanent erosion control measures to halt the destruction and restore confidence among residents.
“Government should come and help us by doing whatever is necessary to stop this erosion so that we can enjoy our lives again, especially those of us in Umueze. We are always afraid. You don’t know, maybe while we are sleeping at night, someone will tell you that your house has been swallowed by the erosion,” she said.
The President General of Amamba Community, Hon. Sir Nelson Umezurike, President General of Eluama Community, Onyebinanma Sunday Onyebinanma, alongside victims Chisaraokwu Onyeanusi, Okechukwu Nwosu and Mrs.
Ihekwumere Nnenneya Chikereze, reiterated their appeal for urgent intervention, stressing that residents are desperate for assistance before more homes are destroyed and more lives are put at risk.
