The people of Achina community in Anambra State have cried out that gully erosion will soon detach them from the rest of the state if they do not get help quickly.
They lamented that erosion has cut them off from six neighboring communities, namely Onneh, Ogboji, Umunze, Umuchu, Ajalli and Arondizogu in Imo State.
It was learned that the Christ Anglican Church building, Achina town hall, and over 50 residential buildings are being threatened by erosion.
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Andy Uba, who yesterday defied the downpour, visited the place and wept.
The President-General of Achina Town Union (ATU), Mr. Henry Ezeunara, said the community had suffered over the years.
He said anytime it rained, nobody would be able to leave his house, to avoid being drowned, adding that their lives and buildings were at risk.
Ezeunara said the only help the community had received was palliative works by one of their indigenes, Chief Modestus Umenzekwe.
Umenzekwe, who accompanied Uba to the place with other community leaders, said the government had abandoned them.
He told our correspondent that the affected residents could not sleep in their houses at night again for fear of being submerged.
Umenzekwe urged Anambra State Government and Federal Government to intervene.
Sen. Uba said the community needed urgent attention, adding that this was the reason they should partner with APC at the state and federal levels to solve their problems.
He said if elected on November 6, tackling Achina erosion would be one of his first projects in Anambra.
The community’s Women Leader, Mrs. Anthonia Ekwebele and the Chairman of Achina Political Action Committee, Ichie John Okpala, told The Nation that their farm produce could no longer be sold outside their community because of the erosion.
