Residents of Angwan and Igalaogba settlements in Idah town, Idah Local Government Area of Kogi state, have cried out to the federal and state governments to find a lasting solution to the perennial flooding in their communities, which threatens lives and property yearly.
North Central Trust observed that what started as erosion run-off has created deep gullies stretching several kilometers from Ogba Technical School through Ubi-Egbe across Angwan New layout, Angwan Ayegba and flowing right into Inachalo river.
It was learnt that the stretch has become veritable flood channel creating fears and concerns among residents as wet season approaches each year.
It was also observed that the development has led to the collapse of basic infrastructure, washing away access roads, culverts and pulling down electricity polls, cutting of all settlements in the axis from power.
The head of the community, Malam Abubakar Aliyu, the Akposi Angwan Ayegba, said 12 houses have been washed away between 2017, when the situation worsened, and 2020.
He also disclosed that the development has displaced about 120 households and their families.
“It has caused us incalculable damage including lives. We lost an entire family of five at the peak of the rainy season in 2018 following torrential downpour and resultant flooding, which washed them away in the middle of the night.
“We have lost many lives since that unfortunate incident and unquantified number of properties.
“In 2018 alone four houses close to the channel collapsed at different times within the season. Between then and now, the number of houses lost has increased to 12 with over 500 residents displaced,” he explained.
Our correspondent noticed that many houses close to the channel have been deserted with residents relocating to safer locations within the town, while others exited the council’s capital altogether.
It was also observed that the only government school in the area, Angwan Primary School is under threat as erosion creates gully across it’s premises.
The chief said the communities have made several appeals through the Attah Igala, Dr Ameh Oboni, to the state government, which sent its officials to assess the situation.
“The state government, through relevant agencies, have come here to assess the situation. We have also been invited to workshops and conferences in Lokoja over the matter.
“But obviously, the state government can only get the federal government to intervene because this is certainly beyond them. You have seen the level of damage done and as the rain season sets in the situation will worsened.
“We are using this forum to therefore appeal to the federal government to urgently intervene to halt further damage and loss of lives,” he noted.
