Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has pledged to take swift action to address the gully erosion along Ovom Street in Aba.
The erosion has severed the road, created a deep valley, and caused the collapse of numerous buildings, resulting in significant property damage in the area.
Governor Otti who inspected the erosion site on Sunday, after a church service at Christ Ascension Church, Long John Avenue, Ogbor-Hill, Aba, directed the General Manager of the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) to mobilize experienced engineers and contractors to find a lasting solution to the problem.
“It’s very unfortunate that erosion has dealt a deadly blow in this area. If it is not controlled immediately, it will not only affect all the buildings around here but also the opposite side of the road where we are building People’s Road, which we should be completing any moment from now.
“So, we need to come very quickly and I have given the instruction to the General Manager of Greater Aba Development Agency and he should be meeting me later this evening so that we’ll start solving the problem in the next few weeks.
“We are starting immediately, by the time we engage the engineers and contractors, because it is not going to be done by direct labour. We need people who understand what to do. But I believe that it is something that we should deal with before the end of this year.
Governor Otti disclosed that he had instructed the General Manager of the Greater Aba Development Authority to evacuate those living around there to ensure their safety.
Earlier, at the Christ Ascension Church, Governor Otti expressed gratitude to the congregation for their support and assured them of continued good governance.
Governor Otti was accompanied on the inspection by the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa; the Lawmaker representing Aba Central State Constituency, Hon. Ucheonye Stephen; GADA General Manager, Arch. Uche Ukeje; Mayor of Aba North, Ide John Udeagbala; Abia State Acting Chairman of the Labour Party, Sir Emmanuel Nwaeze Otti; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport, Dr. Obioma Nwaogbe; and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Cooperative Societies, Hon. Ismael Onuoha.
