The Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State is under serious gully erosion threat and the institution authority is appealing for urgent Federal Government intervenetion to avert further disaster
The Rector, Dr Francisca Nwafulugo, said on Friday while taking journalists round that the erosion had washed away part of the perimeter fence of the institution.
She said it had also encroached and destroyed part of the 1.23 km road recently asphalted road within the institution by the Federal Ministry of Works in February 2021.
According to her, the erosion which is more than 20 meters deep also threatens surrounding buildings.
“Although it is a natural disaster which no one has control over, however, it can be effectively checkmated if a decisive and emergency action is taken as a matter of urgency.
“This gully erosion was a sudden occurrence which took us unawares. It surfaced in August 2021.Ever since the emergence of the gully, we have been making serious efforts to see how it can be solved.
“Already, we have reached out to both the State and Federal Government. The gully is over 20metres deep.It is quite an alarming site. Most unfortunately, the gully is beyond what the Polytechnic could handle. We do not have the financial base to checkmate this rampaging disaster,” Nwafulugo said.
“Consequently, we have written to the relevant government agencies to come to our assistance. May I use this medium to call for the support of government at all levels in order to combat this menace. I want to also call on corporate organisations and well meaning Nigerians to come to our rescue.
She said the gully was already taking its toll on the Polytechnic.
“It has already washed away part of the perimeter fence of the polytechnic at the area. It has also encroached into the 1.23km road built by the Federal Ministry of Works and commissioned in February 2021.
“Already the integrity of that road has seriously been undermined and if nothing is done urgently the entire road may be washed away when the rains set in.
“There are also surrounding buildings that are at the risk of being washed away if no urgent solution is proffered. The greatest threat the menace poses is threat to life; students and staff alike.
” The Polytechnic will continue to do what it can as a way of palliative measure. Nonetheless, whatever the polytechnic does can never be enough to combat the gully holistically. The situation is an emergency one and It earnestly requires the urgent intervention of government to arrest this monster,” Nwafulugo said.
