By Some Ogenyi, Uyo
Residents of erosion ravaged areas in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital and its environs have raised alarm over the threat posed by gullies that have swallowed more than 10 houses.
This is even as more than fifty houses in the areas affected have also caved in.
The areas worst hit by the gullies in the state capital included, Asutan street, Eka street, Ikpa road, Udo Inwang street off Nwaniba in Ewet Community, Afaha Oku Community, Etim Umana and St Luke’s Hospital, Anua.
Following the impending doom that may be caused by the gully encroachment ,the State government directed residents of the affected areas to relocate from the areas to safer places.
However residents of the erosion devastated areas in an interview expressed fear over the increasing danger posed by the gullies with the rains becoming severe.
They further expressed dismay over the State government’s order for them to relocate without making alternative arrangement for such movement.
A resident of Bassey Eta street who identified himself as Austin Etop said if government ask people to evacuate their residence, their should be a remedial arrangement to ameliorate their sufferings.
Etop said the ravine in Asutan street had already caved into so many houses in the vicinity expressing fears that if nothing is urgently done this raining season, many people will be rendered homeless.
He regretted that successive Commissioners of Environment had visited the gully site with promises of fixing the menace but were yet to fulfil their promises.
“The primary responsibility of government is provision of welfare and protection of lives and properties. We are happy that the State government has constructed these roads you see here but before then we duly notified the contractors and other government representatives of the existing ravine seriously encroaching the houses in which they promised to work on.
“The roads were commissioned without addressing that problem of erosion gully down there. This ravine has become a serious threat to the residents of the area, it is collapsing day by day. I don’t want to be pessimistic, if situation remains unattended, the July, August, September rains may leave many people here homeless.
” I want government to come to the aid of these people and if government asks people to evacuate, at least it should make alternative arrangement for them.”Etop said.
Another resident, Akpan Akpan told our correspondent that matters were made worse by poorly terminated storm water drainage which channel rains from Wellington Bassey way, and other adjoining streets into the ravine.
In his reaction, the Commissioner for Environment and petroleum resources, Mr. Ekong Sampson said it was better for the residents to relocate to a safer place while waiting for government’s assistance.
“They must as a matter of urgency relocate to a safer place first. They must stay alive. The dead does not pay or receive rent. Government is putting measures in place for assistance, and for them to enjoy such assistance they must naturally be alive and in a safe place too.” Ekong added.
