Safe Our Souls -Resident Of Erosion Ravaged Community Beg Okowa

By Tolulope Popoola
The Residents of Amachai quarters in Okpanam Community in the Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, have cried out to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to urgently address the matter of erosion currently threatening the community.

According to observation and reports from Punch metro, the quarter has been cut off from the rest of the community by the gully erosion and the situation got worse after Friday and Saturday’s downpour, as the Igwogwo erosion site demarcated the road into two parts.

One of the residents of the area, identified as Mr. E. Fide, stated that if nothing is done urgently, life and property may be affected, as the Igwogwo erosion site is a deep pit with spring water and it is only the source of Anwai River.

Mr Fide said, “The erosion site has successfully cut off the link road from Okpanam through Amachai quarters to Akwukwu-Igbo community.”

Another resident told newsmen that in the next few days unless urgent steps are taken, it will possibly swallow structures.
The resident said, “We thank God that no life is lost and no building affected but if nothing is done in few days time, I’m afraid of what will be the effects because we are still in the raining season; this is the pick of the raining season.

“The gully erosion had been there, no attention is giving to address it until it carved in. Government should not wait until it killed or destroyed houses before addressing it.”

“Let us keep hoping that the structures around the site would be saved. By His grace, no life will be lost”, they said.

The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Godspower Asiuwhu, made it known to members of the public that he had visited the erosion site and he further assured them that the state government will urgently swing into action to avert death and destruction of properties.