Latest News

Lives At Stake: A’Ibom Landlords Stand Firm Amidst Homes On The Brink Of Collapse

Published

3 years ago

January 16, 2024

innocent12

Stakeholders are disturbed that something horrible may happen any moment from now at Nsukkara suburb of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State where residents in a couple of homes threatened by gully erosion have refused to quit to safety…..CONTINUE READING

Akwa Ibom

NDV findings revealed that the affected houses in the troubled area will not survive another rainy season without urgent government intervention.

The worst affected is the home of Mr Elijah Edet Akpan on Ikot-Akwa Road, Nsukkara Ufot, Uyo Local Government Area, which is on the brink of being swallowed by the widening gully.

Deathtrap as homes, graves are falling

Also, the building next to the Akpans has already been deserted, a significant portion having fallen off into the death trap of a gully.

“The day that (partial collapse) happened, it shattered graves, unearthing carcasses of dead family members buried in the compound in the past,” a worried Akpan told NDV.

“I know how risky it is. It’s a miracle that my building has not plunged in, but where do I go? I have nowhere else to go. I traded on clothes at Uyo Main Market for years before building this house. I’m appealing and hoping Governor Umo Eno will hear my cry and assist me to relocate and tackle the erosion menace in the general interest of Nsukkara residents,” he lamented.

However, a neighbour whose building is presently out of harm’s way asserted: “No doubt it is painful to helplessly lose a shelter one laboured to build to such an avoidable catastrophe. But it will be suicidal to remain in a falling house and hoping for help from government that is not responsive to the common man and end up caving into the ditch with the house that could plunge any moment from now.”

Major road turned nightmare

Some concerned residents told this reporter that the gully was induced by years of unchecked water erosion through what was a major road in Nsukkara adding that a stranger would hardly believe that the over 10 meters deep gully used to be the main road in Nsukkara Ufot community, save for the stretch yet unaffected by the ecological challenge.

This was corroborated by Akpan who said: “Everybody who attended Nsukkara Ufot Primary School passed here at the time. It was a major road used by everybody. It was this road the tipper and other vehicles that brought sand, gravel and other materials I used to build this house passed through.

Sad tales

“It started washing off, gradually, under former Governor Godswill Akpabio’s administration. The water started coming from the Market Road down to this area after a blunder by landlord who was having his compound flooded, broke the gutter from the main road to channel the water.

“Gradually, the erosion started cutting deep holes into the ground as it rushed as far as the primary school. People started dumping refuse in the hope to fill the deepening holes, but that made it worse as the caving earth began to press against my house.”

According to Akpan, “Many accidents are happening here as a result of the state of the road. Children fall into this gully. Sometimes drunk adults fall in. My immediate neighbours, including a Reverend of the Assemblies of God who sold the land I built to me, are also affected. The one to my left, the occupants had to vacate as the front of the building caved in.

Dangerous reptiles

Because of the gully, residents have also been experiencing the presence of dangerous snakes like big pythons around their homes. The community youth leaders have had to come to our aid to kill some of these reptiles which find the place now conducive to live and breed.

“I buy carbide; throw it around my house to scare them. I moved into this residence with happiness. I bought goat, drinks and entertained the Village Head and Chairman of this community as I was coming in, so the concern from them since this gully formed here has been overwhelming. One day I opened my corridor and there was a very big snake crawling inside. How it got in I couldn’t explain,” he recalled.

Govt not sensitive to our plight

Under Emmanuel Udom’s (Eno’s predecessor’s) administration, Akpan recalled, “I visited the state House of Assembly, reached the member representing my constituency and others I know. I appeared on a radio station with another neighbour before Udom exited the office.

“We cried out over the dire situation we faced. We called on the government and its institutions to come to our rescue, saying this is a burden too heavy for an individual in my shoes to bear. I traded on clothes at Uyo Main Market for years before being able to build this house.

“Aside from my efforts, different persons and groups had visited, assessed, took photos and heard from us with promises to get feedback from the government. Nothing came out. I had this feeling that our outcry never really got to the governor (Udom) at the time.”

Expectations

Akpan acknowledged, “It is under Governor Umo Eno that I saw government officials, including the Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong and his Environment counterpart, Uno Uno, coming in person to see things for themselves.

“Only government can offer a lasting remedy. I thank God for this Umo Eno regime. If I can get his attention to give me money, then I will relocate to another place to build and live. The gully has cracked my house. I now live here with only my wife. My children are grown, gone out to live their lives in different areas.”

Weighing other options possible for him, he said, “My father’s house is at 16 Young Essien Road, along Oron, Uyo. Me and my siblings are putting it up for sale. If I can sell it, I will use the proceeds to cast pillars that can save my house from collapse.”

It’s only safe people to vacate —AKSG

While the administration of Umo Eno has pledged commitment to tackling environmental challenges, there is no tangible measure in place suggesting the state government will come to Akpan and neighbours’ rescue soon.

The State Commissioner for Environment, Uno Uno, during a tour of the erosion-ravaged living environment last September advised residents of the state to stay away from such places for safety.

“While the government is doing its part, it is important for residents to be environment-friendly and safety conscious. When a house or an area is threatened by erosion or flooding, it is only safe for the residents to vacate,” he said.