By Awyetu Asabe Hope
The Abia and Imo State governments have raised concern over worsening gully erosion destroying communities, farmlands, and infrastructure across both states.
In Abia, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Sunday Jackson, described the state as one of the worst hit, with active erosion sites across its three senatorial zones.
He warned that increased rainfall could worsen the situation, citing flood risk projections by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.
Jackson said the government was undertaking remediation works in affected areas, including Ossah in Umuahia North, but noted that the scale of destruction required federal support.
He added that the agency was intensifying public sensitisation to reduce risks in flood-prone communities.
Residents in hard-hit areas say the impact is severe.
In Ozuitem, Bende LGA, community leader Dr Kenneth Anyalechi said erosion had cut off villages, destroyed farmlands, and limited access to water sources despite past interventions.
Similar concerns were raised in Ohafia, where residents now rely on unsafe routes to access farms.
In Imo, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Major Emenike, said over 500 active erosion sites had been identified, with the most critical located in Orlu and Okigwe zones.
He said the 2026 budget targets 15 to 20 high-risk sites for urgent intervention.
Emenike added that the state was partnering with the Federal Government and the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project to tackle major sites, while ongoing works include the rehabilitation of the Nekede gully near Owerri.
The National Emergency Management Agency warned that erosion has already displaced residents, destroyed homes, and severed key roads in parts of Imo, particularly in the Ideato axis and Orlu zone.
Officials say efforts are underway to de-silt drainage systems and raise awareness ahead of the rainy season, but affected communities are calling for urgent and sustained intervention to prevent further losses.