LANDSLIDE: EBONYI STATE GOVT ORDERS EVACUATION OF SHRINE, 65 HOUSEHOLDS
REPORTER: AMECHI ODO
The Federal Government is to intervene in the reconstruction of the retaining wall of Ogwuma Edda section of the Ebunwana-Ekoli-Ohafia road in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, which recently collapsed as a result of landslide.
Governor David Umahi announced this during an inspection tour of the site to ascertain the extent of its impact on Ogwuma Community and clearance operation on the blocked section of the road.
The Governor said the intervention followed a request by Ebonyi State Government seeking the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari for funding of the retaining wall, reconstruction and other remedial jobs.
He explained that the reconstruction work would affect 65 households who have lived on Ogwuma Hill for centuries and ordered them to relocate to enable work to commence at the site.
“Let me thank our dear President very highly and I want the Edda people to thank him too. What will happen is that we will get a place to resettle these people.’
“We need to have a kind of small estate where these people will have to settle. Work will start immediately from Monday. We will know the houses that will be going and we will mark them.
“You will indicate where these people are going to be relocated and I want you people as Edda Community to help those people who will no longer stay here because when they stay here, not only that their lives will be at stake but also it will cause more slide.
“Slide is a very dangerous thing. It gulps a lot of money to remedy. So, let those who are staying near there be evacuated. We need to be our brothers’ keepers,” he remarked.
Governor Umahi further directed the Chairman of the Council, Dr. Eni Udumachima, to secure a new settlement for residents of the affected area for onward evacuation.
“65 houses must have to leave that place. There is nothing else we can do than save the life of our people. We will support you within the limit of our resources,” the Governor concluded.
The Council Chairman of Afikpo South, Dr. Eni Udumachima, expressed appreciation to the State and Federal Governments for their timely intervention and pledged to partner them to evacuate the affected households as soon as possible.
‘’Within a space of three weeks we should have found a place and clearing for the relocation would have been happening,’’ the Council Chairman promised.
Two of the affected members of the community, Ms. Ogechi Thomas and Chief Anya Nnachi, said they were ready to be evacuated but appealed that the state government should first provide them with a temporary place before embarking on construction of a mini estate as promised by the Governor.
Radio Nigeria observed that the relocation would also affect an ancient shrine, which according to some locals, would have spiritual consequences.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
