By VINCENT UJUMADU
AWKA— ANOTHER landslide yesterday occurred in Oko, Orumba North Local government area of Anambra State, threatening the Federal Polytechnic and the palace of the traditional ruler of the area, Igwe Laz Ekwueme.
Oko is among communities in Anambra State that had suffered landslide which destroyed hundreds of houses over the years.
The situation is usually worse during rainy season and with the heavy rains this year, the effect has been devastating with many families abandoning their houses and relocating to safer villages in the community.
The latest slide took place few metres to the Polytechnic's art gallery under construction at the institution's permanent site.
Ekwueme, while interacting with the member representing Orumba North and South in the House of Representatives, Chief Ben Nwankwo who visited the area, pleaded with the state and federal governments to save the people the ordeal of continuously watching gully erosion destroy their houses every year.
Ekwueme said though the slide had been occurring over the years, the latest one took a new dimension following the heavy downpour that took place for some days.
The royal father said: "Landslide wants to drive me and my subjects out of Oko. We are no longer safe in our land. We thought the problem had abated, but it started again on Sunday and we are now living at the mercy of God.
"Please, help us talk to our Governor, Mr. Peter Obi and the Federal Government to come to our rescue by making funds available to the contractors working at the erosion sites to save our lives and property."
Also on hand to receive the federal lawmaker was the Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof. Godwin Onu, who said the school's meager resources could not handle the erosion menace.
Vanguard Nigeria
God will help them so that the government wil hear their cry.?..
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