Anambra Community Cries to FG over Gully Erosion

By Ikeugonna Eleke

Achina Community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State has lamented the devastating effect of gully erosion on residents of the community.

The community called on the federal government to come to its aid, saying that huge gullies in the area were threatening their existence.

A community leader in Achina, Chief Modestus Umenzekwe, who spoke to Fides, said there was already apprehension in the community because of the emergence of huge gullies, wondering what would happen when the rainy season finally set in.

‘Erosion menace has cut off most roads that link Achina to its neighboring communities. It has hindered inter community trade and other business relationships that existed for long.

‘Most living houses have been submerged and residents now live as refugees with relatives. Most houses, markets, churches are already submerged, Achina Town Hall, remaining churches and other buildings are about to be submerged,’ he said.

Umenzekwe said that the community was in total disarray over erosion menace, adding that roads leading to some homes were broken while people parked their cars far from their compounds because of difficulty in accessing their homes.

‘We have petitioned the state and federal governments about this over the devastating effect of erosion in Achina, but all to no avail. We have been receiving assurances from the federal government about this, but so far, no favourable response has been received.

Umenzekwe, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, who spoke at the burial of his mother, Mrs Felicia Umenzekwe, called for help from the federal government, saying the devastation was above what the state could handle.