Sizable parts of the federal roads of Nkpor axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway and Okija area of Onitsha-Owerri Expressway in Anambra State have been destroyed by erosion.
The threat on the roads, which are now on the verge of total collapse and have become death traps to both motorists and pedestrians, draws outbursts of ‘save our soul’ from community members as well as those doing business in the area. They want the State and Federal Government to provide immediate remedy, as lives and property are endangered.
The State’s Commissioner for Information, Uju Nwogu, who paid a fact finding visit to the area, urged the residents staying around the area to relocate elsewhere immediately.
Mrs Nwogu also called on the Federal Government to come to the assistance of the State Government, as the erosion was already beyond the capacity of the State Government.
“Half of the road has been cut off and if it is allowed to stand without any assistance from the Federal Government, the road will completely be cut off. This road leads to the biggest market in West Africa, which is the Onitsha main market,” Mrs Nwogu said.
It was indeed a scary sight as pedestrians walk with caution through the road that is virtually hanging, waiting to give way on any slightest pressure.
Houses in their hundreds, scattered near the erosion site, wore helpless looks, with road cordoned off to avoid fatality, as unsuspecting motorists might plunge into it unknowingly.
It was a deluge of complaints from business people in the area.
While the Nkpor erosion continues to raise concern, the erosion which has nearly cut off the Onitsha- Owerri road at the Okija axis, is really worrisome, as the size was not only big, but had continued to devastate farmlands, homesteads and churches.
Lamenting the menace, the Priest in charge of St. Theresa’s Parish, Uli, Dominic Nwuzo, recounted the untold hardship the erosion brought to them, saying the church has been cut off from some residents by the erosion.
Other residents also spoke about the economic implication of the erosion on the community.
