By Our Correspondent
THE people of Ide village in Ifite quarters of Alor, Idemili South local government area of Anambra State have sent a save-our-soul message to Anambra State government over the expanding gully erosion in the area, which is threatening houses and farmlands.
Alor is one of the communities where gully erosion has been causing havoc and the state government has warned that anyone found to be felling trees or mining sand in the state would be prosecuted.
A visit to the community showed that illegal felling of trees along the erosion site contributed to the latest problem, with many residents already abandoning their homes for fear of being swallowed by the menace.
It was discovered that the erosion channel built in 1983 by the community has collapsed, while a large percentage of the economic trees planted by the villagers along the erosion site to control it from further expansion had been felled by hoodlums.
The chairman of Ide Aka na-ano village, Alor, Mr. Chukwudi Johnson accused one Ifenna Okafor as the leader of the group felling the economic trees and called on the Anambra State Ministry of Environment to intervene immediately with a view to prosecuting those engaging in what he described as an ‘ecological crime’
He said: ” Our plea to government serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of ecological crimes in our community. It is imperative that we recognize the intrinsic value of trees and the ecosystem services they provide.
“The Anambra State government must take decisive action to protect the environment, preserve biodiversity, and safeguard the well-being of its citizens.”
However, Okafor, who is the chairman of Umuoburu kindred in Alor, denied the allegation, describing it as cheap blackmail.
According to Okafor, the village vice chairman contracted him to clear all fallen trees blocking the free flow of flood which, he stated, led to the destruction of farm lands by the erosion.
Counsel for the village, Mr. Kennedy Uche observed that felling trees in erosion prone area amounted to ecological crime and insisted that those involved would be made to face the the law.
The community said the matter has been reported to Nnobi Police station for further investigation
