By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Residents of Amachalla village in Awka, the capital of Anambra State have sought governor Chukwuma Soludo's urgent intervention to address the ecological challenges devastating road and over a hundred households in the area.
The gully of about 30fit and other erosion sites in the area divided the village into two unequal parts after submerging a multimillion Naira worth properties including economic trees and lands belonging to churches and residential buildings, even as parts of Girls' Secondary School (Amaenyi Girls) Awka may likely be submerged if nothing is done to save the situation.
Speaking in an interview, a native of Amachalla village and coordinator, Awka N'Aso Enwe Foundation (A.N.A.E.F.), Mr Chris Ofodile, described the incident as saddening and threats to lives and properties because according to him, flooding coming from Eke-Awka/Amaenyi axis and Aroma sides discharge into the sites.
Ofodile, who appealed to governor Chukwuma Soludo and federal government to look into the matter, disclosed that the residents had tried their best to control the erosion but all to no avail, thereby leaving some stranded even as many abandon their properties to scamper for safety elsewhere.
"We faced a similar threat around 2010 and 2011, and cried to the Anambra State government and a part of it was controlled. Now the remaining part is getting deeper and wider every day. That is why we are pleading for urgent help. Government knows the best way to fill the gully and properly channel the flood coming to the area," he added.
Also speaking, a landlord in the area, Mr Emeka Ezekwe, said the gully impact made him constructed a catchment pit within his compound for collation and absorbing water (floods) within, however, his mind is still restless as flooding from surrounding environment heading to the erosion sites had equally devastated their main road.
On their parts, Mr Nwabueze Nwanna and Mr Joseph Adumuonyemma, while recalling that about five years ago a property owner in the environment reportedly committed suicide for losing his property, expressed confidence that controlling the gully would help recover many buildings, economic trees and thereon help to solve accommodation and other issues in the State.