Issues

 Ankpa: Where Erosion Gullies Threaten Lives
By Ogbodo Ben
The widening gullies in Ankpa, no doubts, poses ecological problems.
Gullies are recurrent decimal in the town that was once the commercial centre of Igalaland.
Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State is reckoned among the oldest cities; it was created with other local government areas in 1967 and up till today, it is a home for its former components, Omala and Olamaboro people.
Every man of note from Olamaboro and Omala LGAs, has a house in Ankpa.
It is located near Mabolo River. It is found in a sloppy valley and this accounts for deep-seated gullies.
Erosion menace has robbed people of their peace as they are afraid of being washed into Mabolo River. Erosion constitutes terror for the inhabitants.
This ugly and pathetic situation had already rendered many people homeless. It has, in some instances, paralysed the socio-economic activities and made landscaping of houses virtually impossible.
Investigation conducted, by The Graphic showed that during the era of Shagari’s administration, one of the major gully erosions in Ankpa town was brought under control through the intervention of the Federal Government. That singular act was the first and last Federal presence in the ancient town. The level of ecological disaster centered around erosive gullies could only be attended to by the Federal Government. That is to say, the State Government must rise to the challenge of collaborating with the Central Government.
The more the outskirts of the town develops, the more erosive channels the people encounter with fatalistic disposition.
The situation is deteriorating as the recent heavy down pour keeps people in suspense. The menace has rendered many people homeless. Several houses have caved in and the people who are weighed down with penury cannot rise above the valley.
Following the above scenario and the demand for urgent intervention, the Chairman of the council, Hon. Vincent A. Baba and top officials of the LGA took an inspection tour round the affected areas. Their discovery was inimical to human survival.
Hon. Baba, during the exercise, called on state and federal governments to declare Ankpa as disaster-prone zone. He said unless there is urgent intervention, human tragedy is looming at the corner.
The council Chairman noted that unless the erosion is checked on time, the Ankpa-Otukpa Road would be cut. This would invariably make it difficult for traders to go to the famous Onitsha and Oba markets. Ankpa people survive on commerce.
Already, the academic infrastructural facilities in Kogi State College of Education (KSCOE) Ankpa are being threatened. The College is sitting on a sloppy ground adjourning the erosion sites.
The council Boss lamented that the problem had gone beyond what the LGA could cope with.
In the interim, he advised those building houses to be careful in the choice of their sites, adding that building on erosion channel is tantamount to self-inflicted tragedy.
The council Chairman said Ankpa people have sought spiritual powers to overcome the problems. While the appeal to State and Federal Governments is being sustained, the chairman called on corporate bodies and spirited individuals to lend helping hands.
In a similar development, the Chairman, Ankpa Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Amodu Yakubu, described the scenario as “a pathetic situation.”
Chief Yakubu, who descried the ecological situation, said the gullies have not only eaten up Ankpa but has also become source of headache to Ofugo and Ajobe communities.
The royal father in the light of this situation, called on the three tiers of government, Philanthropists, illustrious sons and daughters of Ankpa both at home and in the diaspora to put their hands on deck and bring the menace under control.
He, however, urged all stakeholders to co-operate with Hon. Vincent Baba whom, according to him, has the drive to bail Ankpa from its predicament.
In the same vein, the Deputy Chairman of the council, Alhaji Ibrahim Abagwu, called for a united front against all ecological problems that threaten lives in Ankpa.
Areas affected by erosion gullies include, the big gulley at Ogaji behind St. Charles College, a deep gully opposite the Chairman’s quarters, Enugu road, Ankpa, then another one at the Mechanic Village opposite the state College of Education, Ankpa which is one of the dreaded sites, to mention but a few.
When all the stakeholders toured the sites recently, a distress call was on everybody’s lips. Ankpa must be saved before the whole town caves into the gullies.