Amamba Uzuakoli Autonomous Community, located in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, is facing a dire situation as locals cry out for help over the relentless menace of gully erosion. The entire community is now under an existential threat due to the worsening erosion crisis, exacerbated by last Sunday’s torrential rain. Tragically, another two-storey building has been swallowed up by the expanding gully, joining the ones claimed by erosion at the peak of the rainy season last year.
Elder Chilasa Kanu, the President General of the Community, spoke with Vanguard at the Uzoamaewu erosion site and expressed the community’s desperation. He explained that the erosion problem, which began approximately four years ago, has persistently defied all efforts made by the community to bring it under control. To date, five houses, including three bungalows and two two-storey buildings, have been claimed by the menacing gully erosion. In addition, occupants of approximately 15 other buildings have been forced to abandon their homes, fearing the unpredictable consequences.
Elder Chilasa Kanu emphasized the urgent need for swift and permanent intervention from the government. He expressed regret that their pleas for attention from the previous administration fell on deaf ears. Despite the community’s expenditure of over N40 million, with collaborative contributions from their diaspora, no tangible progress has been achieved. The previous administration, led by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, failed to provide any assistance, with the governor’s deputy even stating that erosion control falls under the purview of the Federal Government. The community’s House of Representatives member, Rt. Hon Ben Kalu, and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu also visited but took no substantive action, leaving the community without any intervention.
The devastating effects of the erosion are far-reaching. The agrarian community can no longer access their farms, as the gully has severed their farm road. Uzuakoli, known for its significant cassava and corn production, is now crippled by the erosion. The erosion’s destructive path has resulted in the collapse of a two-storey building, prompting its occupants to evacuate. Many locals have abandoned their homes and sought refuge with relatives in Umuahia and neighboring towns.
Furthermore, numerous houses in the area have been abandoned by their owners due to the imminent threat of collapse. Without urgent action, more houses are expected to succumb to the erosive forces, as the gully continues to advance rapidly. Elder Chilasa Kanu fervently appealed to Governor Alex Otti to swiftly come to their aid and alleviate their suffering.
Mr. Chikezie Ogbonnaya, another community member, echoed the urgent call for government intervention. He highlighted the financial strain the community has endured as they attempted palliative measures to control the erosion.
Our correspondent, who visited the erosion site, reports that several buildings in the community are now inaccessible. The primary access road has split into two, making it nearly impossible for anyone to approach the affected area.
The erosion site itself is a chilling spectacle, with a gully measuring up to 100 feet in height. Shockingly, Abia State is home to over 3,000 active erosion sites, with a significant concentration in Abia North, particularly in Isuikwuato, Umunneochi, and Bende council areas, according to available statistics.
The Amamba Uzuakoli community, plagued by this destructive gully erosion, now urgently awaits intervention from the government to avert further devastation. Their livelihoods, homes, and agricultural activities hang in the balance, requiring immediate action to ensure their safety and future well-being.
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