Danger In Anambra Community As Erosion Cuts Off Multitude, Farmlands
Hundreds of families in Oghalegbu village, Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra have been trapped in their farms due to massive gully erosion.
The erosion which runs across the Ulasi River in the area had made it impossible for people of the community to access the upland where they move and sell their produce.
The people of the community called on the Anambra government to intervene immediately by controlling the erosion so that normal life could return to the community.
Mr. Charles Okonkwo -Uzor, an indigene of the community said the farmers went to their farms and hoped to return later in the day but could not as erosion had made the only road leading there impassable.
Okonkwo -Uzor said the access road which was constructed during the administration of Mr Peter Obi had been helping in the evacuation of food crops from the agricultural rich community.
According to him, due to the heavy rainfall in the past few days, vehicles from outside the community could no longer get to the point where the farmers usually display their crops for sale.
“The farmers whose crops were being expected in the market have been trapped across, those who went to their farms at the weekend have not returned because the road to the river has been cut off.
Okonkwo -Uzor said there was anxiety among most family members over the plight of their loved ones who had been trapped across the river.
He expressed fears that there would be colossal economic loss due to lack of access for movement of produce.
“In the past, outsiders were also coming to the village to buy, thereby improving the economy of the people.
“With the farming season getting to its peak, many farmers have been looking forward to a bumper harvest and the likely resultant economic empowerment.
“The hopes of many may be dashed by this sudden cut off of the area by gully erosion.
“This community is one of the food baskets of Anambra. We call on the state government to do everything possible to combat the erosion so that food crops can easily be evacuated.
