Some parts of Okpanam community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta state since the rainy season commenced have been seriously under threat by gully erosion.
A visit to the affected areas that cut across Amachai, Ogbeozoma, the back of Vanguard newspapers printing press, Airport View Estate, and the NNPC Mega filling station axis of Okpanam, revealed that access roads and buildings have been badly affected.
Residents of the affected community of affected areas within Okpanam community were already counting their losses, hence the SOS been sent to the appropriate authorities toward addressing the problem as it is urgent.
They appealed to the Delta State Government to come to their rescue in tackling the menace as the gully erosion was ravaging the community, particularly on the trail of rainfall: whether drizzled or heavy downpour.
The people disclosed that the gully erosion has destroyed several buildings, including over 400 houses, saying that at least 800 families have been affected.
They said many residents have relocated, as vehicles and motorcycles cannot use the roads because they have been cut off.
Some of the residents said the gully erosion had claimed so many lives which had created fear in the people, and added that during rains the speed of water flow was normally so heavy and had destroyed properties worth millions of naira.
The respondents described the situation as unbearable, stressing that during raining season, they hardly have access to their homes.
It should be recalled that government agencies had inspected the projects, including the state Ministry of Environment and Delta State NEWMAP the erosion-prone areas in the time past.
However, given the recent occurrence which has no doubt become worrisome, the residents appealed to the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to deploy the relevant government agencies charged with the rehabilitation of gullies to come to the rescue of the affected areas in Okpanam.
They observed that residents now access their compound through constructed wooden pathway, saying such pathways are dangerous to inhabitants living in the areas as they risk falling into the deep gullies.