Residents of Umuenechi, Umuanum, Nibo, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, have appealed to the Federal and Anambra State Governments for urgent intervention over a gully erosion threatening to cut off a major road and destroy nearby residential buildings.
The erosion, located along Retired Major Nwankwo Eze Road, popularly known as Ngene Agu Road, has reportedly deepened to over 10 feet, putting a road culvert at risk of collapse and leaving houses within the affected corridor vulnerable to imminent destruction.
Observations at the site showed that the soil within a three-foot radius of the erosion had become weak, raising fears that further ground collapse could occur at any time.
Speaking to newsmen, a Professor of Accountancy at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Emma Okoye, whose residence is close to the erosion site, said residents could no longer sleep peacefully because of the speed at which the gully was expanding.
While acknowledging the numerous erosion challenges confronting Anambra State, Prof. Okoye described their situation as an emergency that required immediate government intervention to prevent further damage and possible displacement.
He appealed to the Anambra State Government to urgently come to their rescue before the erosion caused more destruction.
At another erosion site in Umuenechi, near Oye Nwochichi, efforts by residents to control the advancing gully have also suffered setbacks.
Bamboos planted to stabilise the soil, protect nearby buildings and slow the erosion have reportedly collapsed into the gully, while cracks have appeared on the fence of an adjoining two-storey residential building.
The caretaker of the building, Dr. Christian Oli, said the erosion expanded significantly following heavy rainfall on September 22, 2026, causing previously executed erosion control measures to cave in.
Dr. Oli appealed to both the Federal and Anambra State Governments to respond swiftly to the situation, warning that urgent intervention was necessary to protect lives and property in the community.
The residents called on the relevant authorities to assess the affected locations and implement lasting erosion control measures to prevent further damage to infrastructure and residential buildings.
