Erosion Destroys Six Buildings, Displaces Families in Oraifite

Six buildings have been destroyed and several families displaced by severe gully erosion in Ibolo, Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area.

One of the affected residents, Edmond Anazodo, attributed the erosion to poor drainage channeling during the construction of the Onitsha Owerri Road. He said the erosion swallowed six of his houses, destroyed his land, and washed away all his belongings, leaving his family homeless.

Another victim, Nonso Anazodo, said his storey building was also destroyed and appealed to the Anambra State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria for urgent intervention to prevent further destruction.

During an inspection of the affected area, the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, attributed the disaster to poor engineering decisions and structural works that diverted flood channels along the Onitsha Owerri Road. He warned that the highway is also under threat if urgent remedial measures are not taken and called for improved collaboration among environmental experts, city planners, and engineers in road construction and flood management.

The Mayor of Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Chimezie Obi, commended the commissioner’s visit and appealed to both the state and federal governments for immediate intervention. He said the scale of the erosion disaster is beyond the capacity of the local government and warned that prompt action is needed to prevent further loss of lives and property.