BY SOLOMON OKPO
Residents of Old Stadium Road and Udoh Street in Uyo Local Government Area have issued a desperate appeal for urgent government intervention following the rapid escalation of a life-threatening gully erosion in the area.
The erosion, which reportedly began as minor soil cracks months ago, has now developed into a massive environmental disaster, carving out a deep and expansive gully estimated to stretch over 200 metres. The situation has already led to the destruction of farmlands, access roads, residential buildings, and sources of livelihood, leaving several families displaced and vulnerable.
Community members say the advancing gully has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, particularly during rainfall. According to residents, each downpour worsens the damage, bringing homes and businesses closer to collapse.
“This is no longer just an environmental issue; it has become a humanitarian crisis,” a resident lamented, noting that families now live in constant anxiety whenever it rains.
The erosion threat is also extending to critical public infrastructure, including a recently commissioned primary healthcare facility located along Wellington Bassey Way, as well as facilities belonging to the Federal Ministry of Labour, the Uyo Local Government Traditional Rulers Council, electricity installations, and more than 50 residential buildings.
Worried by the scale of destruction and potential risks, the community has called on the Akwa Ibom State Government, relevant ministries, and emergency response agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to urgently declare the situation a disaster and initiate immediate remediation measures.
In a statement issued on behalf of the community, Comrade Udeme Ekpe, Immediate Past Youth Woman Leader of Uyo Village, urged Governor Umo Eno to intervene swiftly, expressing confidence in his administration’s commitment to humanitarian service.
Residents warned that any delay in addressing the crisis could lead to further catastrophic losses, emphasizing that timely government action remains the only hope of averting a full-scale disaster.
