By Kamsi Anayo
No fewer than135 buildings in Azuigbo community in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra state are seriously under threat by gully erosion.
The buildings are at risk of submerging as results of the erosion menace over abandoned road project in the community.
A community leader, Mr Izuchukwu Okeke said the impending danger was caused by the abandonment of the Azuigbo-Amichi-Osusorogu road project embarked upon by the former Gov. Willie Obiano administration.
He said that also worsening the fate of the community is the abandonment of St Joseph Awka- Etiti by Azuigbo to Chisco Transport Park, Amichi and Ichida bus-stop in the same Nnewi South local government area.
“So far five vehicles had fallen into the developing gully erosion in the area as rain and flood water washes away earth works and drainage channels constructed before the advent of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo administration.
“To this end the people of Azuigbo community has appealed to the governor to investigate why the contractor abandoned the project and also order for an intervention work before the entire community is swept away,” Okeke lamented.
He said: “The community did not know why the project was abandoned.
“This contract was awarded under the regime of Obiano and work had started before Soludo came into office and we wonder why the contractor stopped work”
“More than 130 buildings are going to collapse following the deadly activities of the flood that is causing erosion in our community and several families would be rendered homeless in the process”
“Though, I am of the All Progressive Congress (APC), my Community supported Soludo during the last governorship election and we believe that this is pay back time for us “
“The other road built by the regime of Mr Peter Obi at Ichida bus-stop through Azuigbo, Ichida and Amichi is also being affected because the flood always find it’s route across the area”
“We urge the governor to direct the Commissioner for Works to first inspect those areas and carry out intervention work on those places while investigating why the contractor stopped work on the project” he said
Okeke noted that since the governor has taken up the task of road construction and reconstruction, Azuigbo should be factored in before a major disaster occurs in the community.
