Imo residents urge government to act on worsening erosion

Some people living in areas affected by erosion in Imo State are asking the government for help. They want action to stop more land and property from being lost.

Farmlands, homes, and markets in communities like Orlu, Obowo, Ezinihitte, and Mbaitoli Local Government Areas have suffered from erosion. Many other areas are also at risk of serious damage.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), several victims expressed their concern. They called for urgent steps to protect their farmlands and properties from further harm.

Residents in Ehime Mbano, Ezinihitte, and Mbieri said no real help has come, even after government agencies like the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Ministry of Environment visited to assess the situation.

In Amaimo Umukabia and Umunumo, both in Ehime Mbano, flooding has made many roads unusable. A resident of Umunumo, Ikechukwu Ohaegbu, said some farmlands are now abandoned because of the erosion problem.

Mr Ohaegbu noted that heavy rainfall this year has worsened the situation. He urged the relevant authorities to assist them. He said, "We get visitors from government agencies that are supposed to tackle our problem, but the response is low."

He added, "It is not news that we have bad erosion sites but nothing has been done so far."

Also, a resident of Umuoba in Owerri North LGA, Kelechi Azubuike, told NAN that erosion has destroyed roads and forced traders out of the Umuoba Market. He mentioned that residents are thinking about moving to safer places due to the erosion.

“At the peak of the rainy season, cars dare not venture into this area. Flood has taken over our market. So, there is no road to even bring our goods to the market,” Azubuike stated.

In Owerri, areas like Works Layout and Aladimma have been badly affected by erosion. Some parts of Mbieri have also been cut off.

A worker from the Imo State Ministry of Environment, who asked to remain anonymous, said the ministry knows about the erosion problem in the state. He explained that the government has set up some measures to help the situation and stop further damage.

He added that Orlu is facing a more serious issue, with Uhuala Obibi Ochasi Community having a gully that is two kilometers long, 75 meters deep, and 100 meters wide. This gully has destroyed several homes and displaced many families.

Obowo LGA is also at risk, with at least 10 communities facing serious threats from gullies. Other affected communities include Mbaitoli’s Umueze-Obazu-Mbieri, Ehime Mbano’s Umunumo Ibeafor, and parts of Ikeduru.

Other areas hit by gullies are Ibeoma Ekwe in Isu, Akwakuma, Amakohia, Spibat, Umuchima, Umueshi, Urualla, Akokwa, Umumaisiaku, Amanator, Isiekenesi in Ideato, and Ezialla Obizi in Ezinihitte.