Anambra Community Sends SOS To Obiano Over Erosion Menace

By Chukwudum Ebele

People of Umuazu village, Uke in Idemili North LGA have appealed to Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State to come to their rescue as dangerous gully erosion sites are vehemently threatening to wipe out valuable roads in the community.

The call was made recently by village leaders and stakeholders among them the Chairman, Umuazu village Uke, Chief Stanley Omeifeukwu, Chief Nwabufo Ilonze, Brother Ogechukwu Chukwudinobi and a victim of the menace,  Chief Wilfred Amanze during an interview with newsmen at Uke community.

They regretted the fact that the gully erosion sites have rendered three strategic roads in Umuazu village impassable thereby cutting off the village from it’s neighbors saying that people have lost their ancestral access roads to their homes and families, important places like Eke Uke market, churches and neighboring villages.

The three endangered roads which are affected by the gully and long overgrown by weeds at the various portions of the gully include lgwe Ileka-Ugoeteka Amanze-Eke Uke Road,Ugwuonunundu-Ideani Junction Road, Anago Amanze-Mkpulu-Ideani Road.

Omeifeukwu who commended the state government and Governor Obiano in trying to alleviate the challenges of Ndi Anambra however solicited for further assistance of government and relevant agencies in resuscitating the failed roads in Umuazu village.

Highlighting some of the palliative works so far undertaken by the community and their brother Gibson Chukwujindu another executive of Umuazu village Union, Ogechukwu Chukwudinobi said that they all amounted to futility.

“We appeal to both state and federal government to rescue us. These Gully erosion menace have passed the level our community can tackle. If we keep quiet more houses and farmlands will be swept away.

“Government of Akpokuodike Global who we know has interest in alleviating the plight of the masses and community development should urgently save Umuazu village from the severe hardship we have been subjected to.

“Our brother Chukwujindu constructed a culvert to control the Igwe Ileka road erosion but the current of the flood swept everything away. Pedestrians cannot use the roads not to talk of motorists”, said Chukwudinobi.

“According to Nwabufo Ilonze”We have contributed a lot of resources to carry out palliative works on the erosion site including our illustrious sons Hon. Obichebe Amaechina and Late Emmanuel Anago Amanze.

“We plead with government and other relevant agencies to come and assess the situation and help to properly channel the flood which comes with high velocity from within and outside the community.

“People cannot use the roads while it is raining. Car owners living around have resorted to either not coming home with their vehicles or park their cars at neighboring village even at Ideani community and trek to their compounds”, said Ilonze.

A major victim, Chief Wilfred Amanze further disclosed that the erosion menace which began about three years ago at Igwe Ileka road was as a result of poor channeling of flood emanating from  newly constructed roads.

“The erosion started small but was aggravated when the contstruction company that constructed the Appeal-Health Centre-Eke Uke-Ideani- Ebube Muonso Road channelled all flood waters down to Uruani Umuazu hence making Igwe Ileka-Ugoeteka Amanze-Eke Uke  road a victim.

“This road is an ancient important road used by traders from Igbo Ukwu, Nnobi, Nnokwa, Adazi, Neni, Obeledu and other communities south of Uke to Eke Uke market.

 Now people go on a cross country to avoid this gully erosion devastated  roads to locate their destination.

“The erosion swallowed some people’s houses, compounds and farmlands causing them to forcefully relocate to their maternal homes or in-law’s places. 

Also, Mbaneme Memorial Primary school children can no longer access their school”, lamented  Chief Chira Amanze.
Joining his voice to the call, Igwe Surv.

Charles Agbala of Uke community after extolling Governor Willie Obiano for his various developmental projects in Uke called for the quick intervention of His Excellency.

“The shut down of three notable roads in Umuazu village Uke is both worrisome and a huge threat to life and property of my people.

I plead that remedial works be carried out at the various roads”said Igwe Charles Agbala.