…Set to Relocate Residents
By: Joshua Adinoyi
The Federal Government has approved the request of Ebonyi State Government to assist in the reconstruction of the retaining wall of the Ogwuma Edda, section of the Ebunwana-Ekoli Edda road in Afikpo South Local Government Area affected by landslide.
Governor David Nweze Umahi announced this when he inspected efforts to clear earlier blockade by the slide which occured two weeks ago.
A statement by Chooks Oko, Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Strategy, explained that Governor Umahi appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for the immediate approval of the request for intervention and appealed for understanding by residents of the area to enable Government handle the situation.
The Governor observed that over sixty five households inhabiting the hill along the retaining wall would be relocated to pave way for remedial work on the road.
“Let me thank our dear President very highly and I want the Edda people to thank him too
“I did not even see him, I just wrote a letter to him while in Abuja and he immediately approved an intervention
“What will happen is that we will get a place to resettle these people to a kind of small estate where our people will have to settle for now
“Work will start immediately, you will indicate where these people are going to be relocated to and I want you people as Edda Community to help those people who will no longer stay here because when they stay here, not only that their lives will be at stake but also it will cause more slide
“Slide is a very dangerous thing. It gulps a lot of money to remedy. So, let those who are staying near there be evacuated, let’s be our brother’s keepers” he said.
Governor Umahi further directed the Chairman of the Council, Dr. Eni Uduma Chima to secure a new settlement for residents of the affected area for onward evacuation.
“65 houses must have to leave that place. There is nothing else we can do than save the lives of our people and we will support you within the limit of our resources” Governor Umahi noted.
Earlier, the Council Chairman, Dr. Eni idima Chima, appreciated the Governor and the Federal Government for their timely intervention and pledged to partner the Government to tackle the ecological challenge.
The Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr. Ogbonnaya Obasi-Abara assured that residents of the area would be relocated as soon as possible to enable Government commence activities on the road.
The Commissioners for Environment and Housing, Dr. Richard Nnabu and Chief Sunday Ugwuocha respectively pledged to fastrack the relocation process.
Some residents of the area including Ezeogo Charles Azuenya, Ezeogo Dickson Okorie among others, lauded the Governor for coming to their aide and promised to comply with the directive of the State Government.
It could be recalled that the Ogwuma landslide occured few miles from the multi million naira Inyere Edda bridge being constructed by Governor David Nweze Umahi.
