Residents of Umudim Nnewi, in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State have raised the alarm over ravaging gully erosion menace in the area.
The locals who lamented that the ecological disaster was gradually eating up a major access road in the town, pleaded for urgent intervention of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
The Nation gathered that the road, located at Umuezena and known to be one with the heaviest traffic in the industrial town, currently records very low usage, as motorists have resorted to other alternatives, but longer routes.
A concerned citizen of the community, who preferred anonymity, revealed that the most dangerous part of the road remained the Ukwaka bridge through which the road passed
He further hinted that the underneath of the road and parts of the bridge had been eaten up by the gully and washed away by flood.
He warned that another downpour and flooding in the area might lead to total collapse of the bridge and consequent division of the road.
He said, “Due to the deplorable condition of the road, motorists now take alternative, but longer routes instead of exposing themselves to unnecesary risks.
“This road is a very big death trap. All the underneath are open while the coal tar still covers the up; yet people riskily ply it, ignorant of what the situation is under.
“We call on Governor Soludo to come to our rescue before the bridge collapses and the road cuts into two. We also call on stakeholders in the community to urgently do something before it becomes too late,” he sobbed.
Reacting, Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Felix Odimegwu assured of government’s urgent intervention on the road, adding that a team from his Ministry would be deployed to the site for on-the-spot assessment of the situation.
