100 residents feared to be engulfed by erosion in Potiskum
No fewer than 100 houses are prone to be engulfed by erosion on Misau Road down area of Potiskum local government area of Yobe State as passing water dug huge sinkholes.
Kanem Trust reports that the situation of the residents is further worsened by the fact that majority of them are poor and could not do much to salvage their situation.
Our correspondent reports that at moment over 25 houses have been eroded forcing their occupants to leave and put up with ralations and neighbours.
Kanem Trust learnt the community dates back to 40 years with only few houses built close to a huge bridge called “gadan hayi”.
Large volume of water that passed under the bridge has, over the years, expanded and eroded the surrounding the areas.
Our correspondent observed that residents have been improvising to control the erosion but have only achieved little success following the heavy rainfall experienced this year.
Kanem Trust learnt that help came the way of the community more than 25 years ago when a contractor was engaged to tackle the situation using gravels and iron rods to demarcate the waterways.
An old aged Bilyaminu photographer a father to 20 children is one of the victims that lost his house following the heavy down pour that wreak havoc in Potiskum recently.
He described the situation as terrible, adding that he and members of his family could only resort to prayers as it rained heavily.
He denied allegations that most of the houses were built on water ways, adding ``no rationale human being will waste resources to build in such areas’’.
Bilyaminu said they have been appealing to relevant authorities but are yet to get any assistance and urged both the state and federal governments to come to their aid.
Another resident, Mallam Saleh Yakubu, said many houses have been washed away over the years and the community had little to do to control the situation.
Mallam Haladu, one of the community leaders said the Chairman Caretaker Committee of the Local government was not aware of the situation in the area.
When contacted the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee promised to get back to our reporter but was yet to do that as at the time of filing the report.