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Residents of Enugwu-Agidi and Ogidi communities in Njikoka and Idemili North Local Government Areas of Anambra State have expressed concerns over worsening erosion, warning that advancing gullies threaten lives, homes, and critical infrastructure.
In Enugwu-Agidi, residents said erosion has severely affected the Mgbachala and Irugaga areas of Ifite Village, making movement difficult, especially during the rainy season.
Speaking during an assessment visit by officials of the Anambra State Erosion, Watershed and Climate Change Agency (ANSEWCCA), the Vice Chairman of Ifite Village, Benjamin Ejinaga, said the worsening land degradation could eventually force residents to abandon their ancestral homes if urgent intervention was not provided.
“During the rainy season, it becomes very difficult to pass through the affected areas,” Ejinaga said.
“If nothing is done, the erosion will continue to worsen and may force people to abandon their ancestral lands.”
He appealed to the state government and relevant authorities to urgently implement measures to halt the erosion before it causes further destruction.
The ANSEWCCA delegation also inspected erosion sites at Iyienu University Teaching Hospital, where the gully has damaged sections of the institution’s perimeter fence and affected 10 buildings, including male and female hostels and administrative blocks.
The Legal Secretary of the Diocese on the Niger, Humphrey Udechukwu, attributed the erosion to illegal stone mining by unauthorised persons behind the hospital.
According to Udechukwu, the illegal mining has continued despite repeated reports to the relevant authorities.
“We urge the state government to stop the illegal miners and address the damage already caused, as the lives of students, lecturers, management staff and other residents are at risk,” he said.
The Acting Managing Director of ANSEWCCA, Ifeanyi Nwasinoke, said the agency had completed an assessment of the affected locations and proposed constructing five solar-powered catchment pits to divert floodwater away from the hospital.
Nwasinoke added that the agency would submit its assessment report and recommendations to the appropriate authorities for further action.
