By
Abdul-Kadir Abdullah
The rainy season has once again brought a wave of fear and despair to the residents of Jattu Ibie road in Jattu Uzairue, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The devastating gully erosion threatening the Jattu Ibie Road, which has rendered many people homeless and properties worth billions of naira destroyed in Jattu Uzairue, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
A devastating gully erosion, which has plagued the community for the past three years, is threatening to render more families homeless and has even resulted in the macabre scenario of buried corpses being washed into people's compounds.
The Jattu Ibie road, a project undertaken years ago by the past government of Edo State to link Jattu and South Ibie has now become a source of anguish for the inhabitants.
Every rainy season in the last three years has brought with it the looming threat of destruction, forcing landlords to flee their homes until the dry season offers a temporary respite. Tragically, many have already been permanently displaced, and properties worth billions of naira have been swallowed by the relentless erosion.
The situation has reached a horrifying new low with the Christian cemetery in the area being severely impacted. Residents recount the unimaginable horror of waking up to find human remains carried into their homes by the erosion. This gruesome reality underscores the severity of the environmental disaster unfolding in Jattu Ibie road.
As the current rainy season sets in, the familiar dread has returned. Residents and landlords are once again facing the prospect of losing their homes and livelihoods. Many are already making arrangements to relocate, a testament to their desperation and the perceived lack of intervention.
In a heartfelt plea, Abdulrahman Shaibu, a landlord in the affected area, issued a statement appealing to the government: "This is Jattu Uzairue Ibienafe Road, and we want to use this medium to draw the government's attention to this road before it gets out of hand."
His words echo the sentiments of countless others in the community who feel abandoned and helpless in the face of this escalating crisis.
Speaking to *Sparknewsline9ja LTD,* Mr. Odion Aliu, chairman, Jattu Community Development Association noted, "We have been following up on it, seeking to get the relevant agencies to address the gully challenge. Edo FEWMA has visited to see the site. A few days ago, the local government chairman also brought Some people to see the site. We are calling on relevant agencies both federal and state government to come and help us"
The once-promising infrastructure project has now become a nightmare, highlighting the urgent need for government intervention, both state and federal government to address the gully erosion before more homes are lost, more lives are disrupted, and the indignity of disturbed graves continues to haunt the residents of Jattu Ibie road. The cries for help from this community serve as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of environmental degradation and the critical importance of timely and effective action.
