Ogbeozoma Residents Urge Government to Act on Erosion Crisis

Residents of Ogbeozoma community in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State are asking the federal and state governments for urgent help with serious gully erosion that is threatening their lives and homes.

Some residents told the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday that the erosion has badly damaged infrastructure and continues to put homes and livelihoods at risk.

They noticed that the growing gully has weakened the foundations of many buildings, raising fears that some could soon collapse.

The residents are worried that, without quick action, many buildings could be lost and lives would still be at risk.

A trader and resident, Augustina Agba, complained about falling business activities and what she calls the community's slow abandonment due to the erosion.

"Even the blind can feel that the community is no longer what it used to be. We have nowhere to run to," she said.

She urged both levels of government to act fast to prevent more damage.

"Only timely intervention can save us," she added.

A cement dealer, Tony Nwabueze, mentioned that he might have to shut down his business due to low demand as construction has stopped in the area.

"People have stopped building and suspended ongoing projects because they cannot access their sites," he said.

Mr Nwabueze noted that the gully has cut through the main road, which is over three kilometres long, making it hard for residents to get to their homes.

He also called on the right authorities to act quickly.

A landlord, Johnson Omoni, described the situation as serious, pointing out that residents now depend on makeshift wooden bridges to reach their homes.

"Every building now has a plank at the front to enable access. It is life-threatening, especially during rainfall, as the force of floodwaters could sweep away the bridges," he said.

Samson Kenechi, a member of the landlords’ association in the community, said the state government has shown concern by providing counterpart funding to support efforts to fix the erosion.

He explained that the funds are meant to attract extra support from the European Investment Bank and the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).

Mr Kenechi shared that talks with NEWMAP and government officials have been positive, with promises that the erosion problem will be tackled.

"We appeal to the federal and state governments to urgently come to our aid and save our community from this devastating erosion," he said.