Government orders residents to vacate Akwa-Ibom community ravaged by landslide
The state government has ordered residents to vacate Akwa-Ibom community, ravaged by landslide at Afaha Oku in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State as a result of the three buildings that was affected.
A Councillor representing Ward 14, Oku 3, Mr Mmenyene Abasi Michael Okon, said the erosion has constituted a big challenge to the community.
“In order to prevent visitors falling into the ravine, the youth have mobilized themselves to keep vigil in the area just to direct people to the other side of the road.
“We woke up to see this disaster. We have tried our efforts to organise the youth to stand here and redirect the vehicles going to Uyo City Polytechnic, Barracks roads, Calabar-Itu and many other places.”
The students of schools that are inside cannot have free access to receive lectures. So tricycles stop here and then the youth will direct them on how to go to the other side so that they will not eventually fall into the ravine.
“I have personally spent four nights here because when it happened some people did not know that something like this was going on. So, by putting light on, we have been able to save a lot of people from speeding into the ravine. This is how far we have gone.”
According to the state Commissioner of Environment and Solid Minerals, Mr. Charles Udoh, he warned the people to relocate, adding that there is nothing the state government can do now until the rains stop.
He appealed to residents to understand with the state government, adding the engineering drawing have been completed but its implementation is waiting for the rain to stop.
“There is nothing we can do now. We can’t start work until after the rains because there is no equipment that can enter that place for now. I have explained this several times to the people that even if there is money, there is nothing we can do now,” Udoh said.
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