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In Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze Innocent Alaribe, the ruler of Amakohia autonomous community, is drawing attention to a pressing concern – the encroaching menace of gully erosion, which has now infiltrated all villages under his jurisdiction.
In a recent discussion with journalists, he unveiled this information, shedding light on the current state of affairs within his realm.
The royal leader lamented that over 50 community members, himself among them, had experienced displacement, noting the abandonment of his palace by both cabinet chiefs and family members.
The royal leader urgently summoned the Federal Government’s attention to the deteriorating circumstances and implored it to intervene for their rescue.
He said: “If I want to visit my palace, I will park my vehicle at a long distance and trek to the place. My subjects are afraid of even coming there. We have cried out severely to governments but nothing has happened, but we will continue to appeal to them to come to our aid.”
Goddie Ukwu, serving as the President-General, expressed sorrow during an inspection of the affected areas, highlighting that the incident had forced a considerable number of indigenes to desert their ancestral homes.
Ukwu brought attention to the erosion’s impact, disclosing that it had effectively cut off his community from neighboring areas, resulting in a notable rise in transportation costs within and outside the locality.
Read also: Gully Erosion: Imo Youths Protest, Seek Govt’s Intervention
He said: “We are going through hell in my community now. Many homes have been abandoned because of erosion. The depth of this erosion can engulf a two-storey building, already three buildings have caved in and my people are living outside their homes.”
He highlighted the road’s current impassability, explaining that the process of entering and leaving their area resembled a ‘merry-go-round,’ with motorcycles maneuvering through bush paths – a situation that might unsettle visitors.
He said: “Our school is daily losing its students because parents are afraid to enrol their children in the school that is close to the erosion site.
“Look at the airport, it is close to us from here but far because of the erosion that has divided us with our neighbouring communities.”
Making a heartfelt appeal, he called on several government agencies to intervene, acknowledging the menace’s severity and stressing that it had surpassed the community’s ability to address.
