A gully erosion in numerous settlements in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State swallowed a two-storey building and a four-bedroom bungalow following a severe rain that lasted for almost 16 hours.
The two-storey building belonged to one indigene living outside the country, while the other belonged to another indigene resident in the state.
Communities in Amaewu, Umueze, Amamba, and Uzuakoli are affected.
It was learned that rain fell from Friday at 4 p.m. till Saturday at 7 a.m.
Because of this, the locals now live in fear due to the gully erosion site, which has resisted all attempts at repair despite the expenditure of several millions of Naira.
According to the member of the Abia State House of Assembly who represents the Bende South seat,
The erosion site has resisted frantic attempts to contain it, according to Hon. Emmanuel Chinedu Ndubuisi, who represents Bende South seat in the Abia State House of Assembly.
The congressman said that despite repeated attempts, the community had been unable to alter the gully location, which had also caused another four-bedroom bungalow to collapse.
I got out to the NEWMAP, who came and provided their professional advice, a step that has been taken, but the gully still exists, he said.
Relevant News
Abia@31: PDP lauds failure, unpaid wages, claims APGA Ikpeazu will keep peace in Abia Abia government will set up family and gender violence courts
While claiming that other structures in the neighbourhood are in danger,
According to NEWMAP, they should “do a drainage down to the river so that more structures will not be jeopardised,” but I’m not sure if the town has the funds to do that right now.
“What we want to do right now is utilise sandbags to slow down the flood’s speed, which the engineers have told us will decrease the devastation,”
Hon. Ndubuisi stated that Rep. Benjamin Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency, and Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, who represents Abia North, are both aware of the difficulties facing the populace, adding that “only the state government has interfered through NEWMAP.”
He added that there are ongoing efforts to persuade other agencies of
Orji Uzor Kalu, the senator for Abia North, said when contacted that despite the fact that the red chamber’s work is strictly legislative, he will send someone to visit the location to see how he can approach federal officials about helping the town.
The senator urged that the state government, which receives monthly ecological funding, should handle such matters.
Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the representative for Bende Federal Constituency, remarked, “I’ve been there before to assess the site. I’ve previously brought up the issue for discussion with the Ecological Fund Office.