The traditional ruler of Emede autonomous community in Umuahia North local government area, Eze Allan Okpokiri has appealed to the Abia State government to urgently save his community from gully erosion menace.
The gully, he said, has cut off some of his subjects from accessing the rest of the community, gulped lands and sank economic trees.
Eze Okpokiri, who conducted journalists round his devastated community, said that his people were afraid of the speed at which the gully was encroaching and begging the State government to urgently arrest the situation.
He noted that the control of the gully was now beyond the financial strength of the community, explaining that previous efforts of community members could not salvage the horrible situation.
Eze Okpokiri, who was emotional while showing journalists the sites of the gully, said there were no other alternative routes to the area, pointing out that the road which starts from Umuagu Ata junction leads to villages such as Umuakanu, Umueze, Udide, Umuodudu, Agbo and Ubani Ibeku.
He said that rural farmers were also afraid to go through the affected areas this farming season.
While saluting the Governor for his infrastructural development across the State, he also appealed to him to come to their aid.
“My people's lives and economic trees are under threat, especially now that another rainy season is around. The gully keeps expanding and deepening”, said Eze Allen Okpokiri.
Also speaking, some of the community leaders, including Innocent Iheukwumere and Lawrence Nwaobiara, corroborated their monarch's worries.
