Residents Of Enugu Community Lament Erosion Menace

People of Igboneme settlement in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Wednesday, appealed to the federal government to come to their assistance following age-long gully erosion that has cut off the place from the rest of the local government.

A native of the community, Mr Benjamin Mba, said, “Our greatest and age-long problem is erosion. In fact, we are practically cut off from the world because of this. We are part of Ezimo community, but have been isolated because of erosion.

“The only access road that passes through our area has also been taken over by erosion. So, we are currently incommunicado.”

Another resident, Sylvester Eze, said, “We beg government to come to our help. We have the best cashew breeds here. But we have no access to markets because of this erosion.

“The main gully erosion was there before I was born. We have cried to the government, but no results yet. There is no difference between us and people in detention. Our children start school as adults because of the distance. You don’t expect a child below eight to trek over four kilometres to school.”

When our correspondent contacted the office of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) in Enugu for reactions, the boss was not around.

But a senior official of the agency, on condition of anonymity, said, “We are currently intervening in over twenty-two states, Enugu State inclusive. We profile such places. We also work in synergy with arms of governments through counterpart funding.

“I am sure something is being done over the Igboeneme matter. We are aware, but for paucity of funds.”

One of the kids who were playing football, Chijioke, said, “I have not started school. It is far. I’m six years old. I’ll start next year.

“I want government to build our road, and also build a school for us here.”