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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia State government has given residents of the erosion ravaged Ovom street, Ogbor Hill, Aba, quit notice; they are to relocate to safe areas to allow reconstruction work to commence on the erosion site.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mrs Joy Maduka, who handed down the order, disclosed that the state government has offered temporary accommodation to the victims and urged them to accept the offer to avoid loss of lives and properties.
She noted that the erosion which has stretched more than 500 metres along the Ovom Street, had destroyed many buildings and is threatening lives of residents.
It was gathered that due to the increasing flood and erosion, the state government had in October 2023, declared the area an endangered area and warned residents to relocate.
In an interview with newsmen, Mrs Maduka, said the residents have been served with vacation order and asked to relocate on or before January 12, 2024.
She explained that the government wants to ensure that no life was lost as well as stop the destruction of more properties.
The Permanent Secretary also assured that adequate measures have been put in place to manage the situation, stressing that reconstruction work will commence as soon as the residents relocate.
“The government is appealing to the residents of the erosion ravaged areas of Ovom street to relocate. Most of them have relocated to other areas. The government is offering temporary accommodation to the residents who are yet to relocate.
“They need to relocate to safe areas to allow reconstruction work to commence in the area. Time given them to relocate has expired. We have given them several notices, the last one expired on January 12, 2024.
“Government wants to ensure that no life is lost and to save more buildings. The government is appealing to them not to delay their relocation because nobody knows how far the erosion has gone underground.”
Some of the residents pleaded with the state government to allow them stay in their houses while reconstruction work will be on.
“We are pleading with the government to allow us to stay while they reconstruct the area. Where are they expecting us to relocate to?
Others asked the state government to release funds to them to enable them find alternative accommodation.
