It was a relief for residents and landlords of Nkisi Aroli-Obeleagu in Onitsha, Onitsha North Local Government Area as the traditional ruler of Onitsha Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe paid a visit to the Nkisi Gully Erosion site for an on the spot assessment of the project.
The DAILY VENDOR reports that the project is being handled by IDC Constructions Ltd with heavy machines and materials on ground at the site for its commencement.
Inspecting the site, His Majesty, accompanied by some members of his cabinet described the Erosion menace as a natural disaster which could also be triggered by human factor. Adding that proper measures will be put in place to ensure that such occurrence are controlled in the future.
Igwe Alfred equally noted that the fourteen affected families whose buildings were devastated by the gully erosion have received some palliatives from the Onitsha Community Response Team to help cushion the effect.
The General Manager of the IDC Construction Company handling the project Mr Freddy Dekleyn disclosed that the project will be executed in two phases.
Mr Dekleyn said that he was sent to the site by the Anambra State Ministry of Works through the State Government to check the menace adding that the three hundred metres flood diversion channel which the company has started constructing will be channeled to Nkisi Stream to help control the volume of flood.
He further disclosed that the diversion channel will be completed within three weeks, while the whole project will be ready within four months.
However, the Transition Committee Chairman for Onitsha North Local Government Area Mr Patrick Agha-Mbah expressed gratitude to Governor Willie Obiano for sending IDC Construction Company to stop further escalation of the menace adding that the devastated area is part of Ward eight of the Local Government Area.
Also speaking former House of Assembly Mr Chugbo Enwezor stated with regret that over twenty buildings including a Church and a School have caved into the gully erosion and called on the Federal Government, Members of the National Assembly and the World Bank for urgent attention to the area.
