No fewer than six buildings have been destroyed and several families displaced by severe gully erosion ravaging Ibolo community in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State.
One of the victims, Mr. Edmond Anazodo, attributed the disaster to poor drainage channeling during the construction of the Onitsha–Owerri Road.
He said the erosion had swallowed six of his houses, destroyed his land, and washed away all his belongings, including his family’s clothing, leaving them homeless.
Anazodo appealed to both the Anambra State and Federal Governments to intervene urgently and save affected residents from further devastation.
His brother, Mr. Nonso Anazodo, whose storey building was also destroyed, recounted his losses and similarly called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the Federal Government to provide immediate assistance to halt the advancing erosion.
After inspecting the affected areas, the Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Barrister Clem Aguiyi, blamed the erosion on poor engineering and structural decisions made in diverting flood channels during the construction of the Onitsha–Owerri Road. He warned that the highway itself is now under serious threat if urgent remedial measures are not taken.
Bar. Aguiyi stressed the need for environmentalists, city planners, and architects to rethink road construction practices, floodwater management, and environmental protection across the state.
Also speaking, the local government Chairmen of Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Hon. Chimezie Obi, commended the Commissioner’s prompt visit to assess the damage and appealed to both the state and federal governments for urgent intervention.
The Mayor noted that the scale of the disaster is beyond the capacity of the local government and warned that immediate action is needed to prevent further destruction of lives and property.
