Community seeks government intervention over erosion

The Ute-eKuku community in Ipoba Okha local government area has called on the state government to come to its aid and save it from the erosion ravaging the area.

Some of the residents, who spoke to our reporter, said the development has forced many landlords to abandon their houses and became tenants in other communities.

One of the residents,Christopher Osagiede, said: “The problem we have in this community is erosion and bad road.”

According to him, once it rains nobody can pass through the road while their houses are flooded, forcing them sleep outside.

He said the erosion has created deep gullies which have led to the collapse of many houses, adding that members of the community no longer worship the Oba shrine as a result of the gullies.

“I run a bar but it is no longer moving because people can’t even cross the road to visit the place once it rains. We are always praying that it does not rain.”

“We have met with the local government chairman but he said the situation is beyond his power and we are trying to meet the state governor so as to come to our aid.”

He said they have to employ some labourers, who are helping them to fill some areas so that the road can be managed once it rains.

Also speaking an elder, Pullen Izeweko, said some landlords have lost their houses to the erosion while others, whose houses are closed to the gully, have relocated to other communities

“We are suffering here because of the erosion and once it rains childrens can’t go to school. Workers that reside here are also finding it difficult to go to work.”.

He lamented that fish famers in the area have relocated to other communities as flood has washed away their ponds.

“This road connects Ekiwa, Ugbedu, Uteekuku, Orion, Ihowo, igwosagie, Eren, Ahon, Ute communities. We are appealing to the state government to come to our aid so that we can be happy in the village.”