By David-Chyddy Eleke
A team of experts in ecological and environmental issues has raised the alarm over threats of erosion disaster in Anambra State.
The team headed by foremost environmental hydrogeologist and the former Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Emeritus Boniface Egboka, and United States-trained ecologist, Mr. Ikenna Ellis Ezenekwe, stated that if nothing was done, most communities in Anambra State would lose a substantial part of their land to erosion.
In a statement made under the aegis of Team of Ecological Experts out of the Old Aguata Union (OAU), the group said there was need to begin a strong campaign to restore the environment by getting governorship candidates of various political parties to sign a commitment pact to tackle erosion problems in the state if they emerge as governor.
In the statement signed by Egboka, the group outlined suggestions that could help the state government to tackle erosion problem in the state, while also charging governorship candidates in the forthcoming election in the state to outline their programmes towards tackling environmental challenges.
The statement said: “We humbly believe and aver that through the gentlemanly agreement and commitment by the leading and other political members/actors, the principles for which the position of governorship was zoned to the southern senatorial zone of Anambra State; it interestingly, fortuitously and luckily favours the southern senatorial zone that experiences the largest and most severe and destructive impacts of gully erosion in the state.
“This indescribable ecological menace/nuisance is particularly deadly in the old Aguata area of the state.
“We take this opportunity as one in a lifetime for our gubernatorial candidates to come to our communities and tell the people what their plans, commitments and strategies will be when any of them succeeds and takes over as governor of the state.”
The group listed communities in the southern senatorial zone that are worse hit by erosion to include Nanka, Agulu/Oko, Ekwulobia, Akpo, Achina, Umuchu, Uga, Adazi, Alor, Oraukwu among others.
“These large gullies are in Agulu/Nanka/Oko/Ekwulobia axis. They are also seen in other communities like Nnewi where they have begun to develop finger-like gullies that push into the communities with high aggression.”
Some of the recommendations made by the group as means of stemming the menace of erosion in the area include all roads to be constructed with proper anti-gully erosion drainages, a comprehensive Storm Management Plan (SMP) for affected communities, and durable environmental laws.
The group said: “The state government should set up Flood and Ecological/Erosion Control Ministry. A ministry principally dedicated to the control of erosion menace and other ecological hazards bedeviling the state.
“Others are the establishment of a Green Belt Zone to be marked out in some parts of the state particularly within the affected communities; creation and reawakening of strong awareness towards flood control; soil/gully erosion and landslides as well as their abatement within the residential areas that are erosion-prone, among others.
