Ikabigbo community in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State has called on the state and federal governments to come to its aid by addressing the erosion problem in the area.
The community laments that it is being threatened by gully erosion that has been ravaging the area over the years and has made getting water from the stream, that is the only source of getting drinking water in the community, almost impossible.
Speaking with Niger Delta Trust, the community head, Chief Braimah Alegeh, said the call became necessary because the erosion menace has gone beyond the community power.
He said the road leading to the river has been cut off by the gully, thereby making it difficult for people to go to the river to get water.
“The gully is getting deeper daily due to excessive rain. Two high tension electric poles and houses have already caved in and if nothing is urgently done, the gully would destroy many things in the community,” he said.
Alegeh said the community had cleared drainage in the area to allow free flow of water, adding that erosion was as a result of the drainage that terminated at the village instead of being linked and connected to the river.
He also appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency, Ecological Fund, Federal Ministry of Environment, Niger Delta Development Commission as well as Senate and House committees on environment to come to the aid of the community.
