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The residents of Vision World Estate in Uruokokwu Umuogali Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, have made a passionate plea to Governor Chukwuma Soludo for urgent intervention over the devastating erosion impact.
The erosion has already led to the collapse of one building, while at least 20 others are on the verge of collapse.
The residents, who staged a peaceful “Save Our Soul” (SOS) protest, blamed the flooding and erosion on substandard rehabilitation work carried out on a section of the Onitsha-Owerri Road.
They accused the contractor of improperly channeling stormwater runoff into their estate, which has become a flood-prone area.
During the protest, demonstrators carried placards with inscriptions such as, “Gov. Soludo, Solution, Come to Our Rescue,” “Vision World Estate Oba Needs Solution,” “Soludo, We Need Your Attention,” and “Save Our Soul.”
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In a formal petition to the governor, submitted through the Council Mayor, Mrs Iyom Amaka Obi, and signed by the estate’s Chairman, Mr Joseph Mbanaso, and Secretary, Mr. Jude Obowo, the residents titled their appeal: “Re: Protracted Flooding, Erosion, Threat to Lives and Properties Worth Billions of Naira at Uruokokwu Umuogali Oba, Anambra State — A Passionate Appeal for Emergency Government Intervention.”
The letter reads in part:“We commend and support Your Excellency’s efforts at repositioning Anambra State within the national framework. We also fully support your re-election for a well-deserved second term.
“We, the residents of Vision World Estate, Uruokokwu Umuogali Oba, wish to bring to your attention the pitiable condition under which we now live since your last intervention.
“Weeks ago, a house in our estate was completely washed away by erosion and an expanding gully,thankfully, no life was lost. However, if this growing environmental threat is left unaddressed, over 20 homes could be destroyed during the next heavy rainfall.
“Although we deeply appreciate your visit and your earlier efforts, the erosion control work carried out by the assigned contractor was grossly inadequate. It has since been washed away due to the use of substandard materials and poor engineering.
“To date, residents have collectively spent over ₦50 million in attempts to mitigate the disaster, but these efforts have failed. We now humbly request that you extend your administration’s ‘Soludo Solution’ to save our lives and properties.”
“We look forward to a swift and favorable response, knowing Your Excellency will not stand by while lives and investments worth billions are washed away.”
Mbanaso while speaking to journalists reiterated the community’s desperation.“We are living in fear. The gully is now dangerously close to our perimeter fence. We sleep with one eye open, unsure of when the next collapse might happen. Governor Soludo’s administration is our only hope,” he said.
He praised Soludo’s achievements in the state and expressed confidence in his leadership, saying: “There is visible transformation in Anambra today. We are not disputing the upcoming election—Soludo has earned his mandate. We trust he will extend his solutions to Vision World Estate.”
Another resident, Mrs Gloria Okafor, traced the origin of the problem to the construction work on the Onitsha–Owerri expressway:
“The contractors excavated the soil, creating a valley and channeling stormwater into it. The mini-gutter they built collapsed, and the water began eroding the surrounding porous soil, forming a massive gully.”
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“The floodwaters now come from Oba, New Oba Road, the market, and even parts of Old Oba Road. My late husband had warned the contractors that their design would not hold up against the volume of water, but they ignored him,” she lamented. “We beg our Solution Governor to help us. If nothing is done, more homes will collapse with the next heavy rainfall.”
Mr Darlington Odor, a landlord in the estate, also expressed his fears: “This gully is threatening my life’s work. I can’t sleep, I’ve developed health issues, including hepatitis B, due to the stress. Governor Soludo, please help us.”
Other residents, including Mr Sebastine Ibeagwa, Mrs Lilian Chukwuemeka, and Mr Odor, jointly called on the government to act swiftly.
They stated that the erosion has already destroyed homes and even a factory, urging the state government to construct a proper drainage system to channel water from the area to Mmiri Ose Idemili, which they believe would halt further degradation.
