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General News of Wednesday, 11 August 2021

Source: punchng.com

A’Ibom youths keep vigil over gully, govt urges patience

Gully erosion Gully erosion

Residents of Ikpa Road in the Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have decried the threat posed to their lives by a gully in the community, saying they keep vigil to avoid visitors and vehicles falling into it.

Our correspondent learnt that erosion had divided the community road, making it impossible for passengers and visitors to cross over to the other side.

Three buildings containing shops had already collapsed, while others were being threatened.

Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, the Councillor representing Ward 14, Oku 3, Mr Mmenyene Okon, said the erosion constituted a big challenge to the community.

He said, “We woke up to see this disaster. We have tried our efforts to organise youths to stand here and control the vehicles going to Uyo City Polytechnic, Barracks Road, Calabar-Itu, and many other places.

“The schools that are inside here, students cannot have free access to them for their classes. So, Keke stops here and then youths direct them on how to go to the other side so that they will not fall into the ravine.

“I have personally spent four nights here because when it happened, some people did not know that something like this was going on. So, by putting on the light at night, we have been able to save a lot of people from speeding into the ravine. This is how far we have gone so far.”

The councillor said pictures and video clips of the gully had been sent to the state government for action. A tricycle operator, Mr Joseph Umah, said since the problem started, he had not been going home.

“I tried to go through the Urua Ikpa side, even that one, there is a problem there. My family is down there; they used to come here and collect money from me. So, the government should do something about this road,” he added. The state Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals, Mr Charles Udoh, asked the residents to be patient.

Udoh said, “There is nothing we can do for now: we can’t start work until after the rains because there is no equipment that can enter that place for now; all of them will sink. I have explained this several times to the people that even if there is money, we cannot do anything now.”