Residents of Ogbeozoma community in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State have raised alarm over worsening environmental damage caused by severe gully erosion, calling for urgent intervention from both state and federal authorities.
Key Highlights:
- Ogbeozoma community in Okpanam battles severe gully erosion.
- Buildings, roads and businesses threatened by expanding erosion channels.
- Residents report loss of livelihoods and declining economic activity.
- Road cut off, forcing makeshift wooden bridges for access.
- Emergency movement and healthcare access now severely affected.
- Community appeals for urgent government intervention and NEWMAP support.
Residents who spoke to The Trumpet Newspaper on Thursday said the erosion has continued to destroy building foundations, leaving homes, schools, hotels and commercial buildings at serious risk of collapse.
Many expressed fear that if urgent action is not taken, large parts of the community could become uninhabitable, with properties and lives exposed to increasing danger.
A trader in the area, Mrs. Augustina Agba, described the situation as devastating, noting that economic activities in the community have sharply declined due to low patronage and displacement fears.
She said residents have no alternative place to relocate to despite the worsening environmental conditions.
Another resident explained that the erosion has made housing investments unsafe, adding that many families are now struggling with loans used to build homes that are currently under threat.
A cement dealer, Mr. Tony Nnwabueze, said business activities have been severely affected as construction work in the area has stalled.
According to him, residents have suspended building projects due to inaccessible roads and safety concerns.
He added that the erosion channel now runs through the main road for several kilometres, making movement into and out of the community extremely difficult.
He further warned that emergency medical access has become dangerous, as patients may not reach healthcare facilities in time due to transport barriers caused by the erosion.
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Another landlord, Mr. Johnson Omoni, described the situation as life-threatening, noting that residents now rely on wooden bridges to access their homes.
He warned that the bridges become extremely dangerous during rainfall, with strong flood currents posing risks to lives and property.
He recalled a past incident where a woman and a child were nearly swept away by floodwaters but were rescued in time.
According to him, the erosion channel is deep enough to swallow heavy vehicles, describing it as an urgent environmental disaster requiring immediate intervention.
A member of the landlord association, Mr. Samson Kenechi, said the Delta State Government had shown concern and made financial commitments aimed at attracting support from the European Investment Bank through the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).
He said discussions have taken place between the community, government officials and NEWMAP representatives, with assurances that the situation would be addressed.
He, however, urged both federal and state authorities to fast-track intervention to prevent further destruction of lives and property.
