Landslide hits Anambra community, threatens homes, poly

A landslide has hit the Oko community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, as lands and houses fell into a slope.

Our correspondent gathered that the landslide occured close to the Federal Polytechnic, Oko.

Oko is also the hometown of the former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme.

A source in the community said, “The distance affected is almost a kilometre away from the original gully. This indicates that the gully erosion ravaging some parts of the community has taken a new dimension.

“A large drainage said to have been constructed by RONASCO in the 80s sank inside the gulley this afternoon (Thursday).

“To worsen the situation, the affected location is less than 100meters away from Oko round-about which leads to Federal Polytechnic, Oko as well as Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze.

“Residents express bewilderment as there was no sign of the disaster.

“However, there are indications that the heavy rains in the area in the last fews days have contributed to the disaster.

“The Agulu-Nanka-Oko erosion has been a major national ecological disaster. The indigenes of the area have lamented near total neglect by the authorities.”

Efforts to get the reaction of the state Commissioner for Environment in Anambra state, Mr Felix Odimegwu, proved abortive as he did not take calls made to his phone line.

(Punch)