Death traps: Erosion control experts raise alarm over 122 gully erosion sites in Delta

By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

Technical Committee of the Delta State Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) on Wednesday raised the alarm of dangers following the discovery of 122 gully erosion sites in the state.
At a media conference in Asaba, the Permeant Secretary, and Chairman, Erosion and Watershed Management Project,( NEWMAP), Delta State Ministry of Environment, Mr Precious Anuku, lamented that the menace of the 122 gully sites might wreak more trouble for the inhabitants of the affected areas.
“We have observed that the affected areas in Delta State might be worse destroyed before September this year if Urgent steps are not taken to curb the menace and the inhabitants of the areas are at present are in dangers”, Anuku said.
Anuku explained that though Okowa led administration was not relenting in its efforts to initiate and implement policies aimed at flood and erosion control, disclosed that erosion menace in the state might be worse devastating this year 2019 if no serious intervention and implementation of long lasting solution by Professionals or experts.
‘We have advocated the need to develop an action plan within the medium term strategies ( MTS), newly erosion ravaged Communities, and with the state caught in the web of 122 gully sites, we shall continue to do regular intervention as temporary measures to ensure inhabitants of the areas are safe before they can relocate elsewhere”, he said.
He said that Delta state is among the 21 states in the Federation that have keyed into the World Bank/NEWMAP intervention project, adding that it establishment in the state was a welcome development with a view to ensuring safety for Deltans, especially in the gully erosion prone areas.
“In the Course of Implementing the Project, the state government will ensure gully erosion and Flood management in five prioritized communities which include: Owanta,Boji Boji Owa in Ika North East,Obomkpa and Ukwu Nzu in Aniocha North, Ubulu Uku in Aniocha South and Jesse in Ethiope West local Government Areas”, Anuku further disclosed.
Meanwhile, the state government has warned residents of the state to stay away from seeking shelter in uncompleted buildings as the Consequences may be dreadful should anything bad happened.
The warning was informed by the recent disaster of collapsed buildings in Asaba and Abraka community which led to the death of five persons and several others trapped.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Barr Chiedu Ebie who gave the warning on Wednesday in Asaba while addressing Journalists, condemned the habit by some persons seeking refuge in uncompleted buildings, stressing that it was risky for one to sleep under an edifice that was not completed or approved for human accommodation.