A total of seven communities in Idemili North and South local government areas have been cut off by the recent gully erosion that occured last week along Ideani and Nnobi roads in Anambra state.
The erosion which has separated the people in the area was as a result of the persistent down pour that swept across the state in the last two weeks destroying homes , farm lands and economic trees in the area.
The affected communities include, Nnobi, Ideani, Ojoto, Obosi, Mkpor , Eziowelle and Abatete all in Idemili North and South local government areas.
To this end Gov Charles Soludo has appealed to the federal government and Development partners to intervene in the ravaging gully in the state.
Soludo who was at the erosion site on an inspection lamented that Anambra state is the erosion capital of Nigeria adding that Anambra has the smallest land mass in Nigeria after Lagos expressing fears that if something urgent is not done the state stands to lose a lot at the end of the day.
Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has called for urgent intervention by the federal government and development partners in the state on the gully erosion at Umuagu, Nnobi road, along Nnobi-Ideani-Nkpor Federal Road.
Governor Soludo promised that his government would begin immediate remedial measures on the erosion site pending the support of the federal government.
The Governor acknowledged the road as a major highway, describing Anambra as the erosion capital of the world because there are hundreds of erosion sites scattered across the state.
He stated that already his government is dispensing funds and intervening on the Onitsha-Owerri road which is a major entrance into Onitsha.
Governor Soludo pointed out that it was high time people embarked on preventive measures against gully erosion ravaging the state.
He called for collective action by both government and the people to control run-off water from various compounds by digging water retention pits within their compounds, non-blockage of drainage systems, among others, in order to mitigate the causes of erosion.
The Governor also stressed that communities have a huge role to play to ensure compliance and advocated positive attitude towards the environment to prevent landslides and gully erosion
Also speaking the Commissioner for Environmental Engr Felix Odumegwu lamented the effects of human activities in the state adding that his ministry have been carrying out sensitization program educating the public on the need to be environmental conscious.