The traditional ruler of Amakohia autonomous community in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze Innocent Alaribe, has raised the alarm over gully erosion in all the villages in his community.
He disclosed this recently while addressing journalists about situation of things in his domain.
The monarch said that over 50 natives of the community had been rendered homeless, including himself, as his palace had long been abandoned by his cabinet chiefs and family members.
The royal father called the attention of the Federal Government to the worsening situation and urged it to come to 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.”
Conducting Nigerian Tribune round the affected areas, the President-General of the community, Goddie Ukwu, lamented that the incident has forced many of its indigenes to desert their ancestral homes.
Ukwu disclosed that the erosion has disconnected his community from its neighbours, making the cost of transportation in and outside the area expensive.
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 said that the road is no longer passable, adding that before they go in and out of their place, it is like a ‘merry go round’, as okada will take them through bush parts that you will almost be afraid of if you are a visitor in the area.
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.”
He appealed to various governments’ agencies to help them because the menace is beyond their control.
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