By Saadu Mashood Zarumi
Residents of Abata Jagun Community, Ifesowopo, Okelele in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State have appealed to the Kwara State Government to assist the community in addressing the problem of gully erosion ravaging the community.
Abata Jagun Community is located opposite Al-nur petrol station, Alagbado linking Government Day Secondary School, Karuma, Akerebiata, Ilorin.
The community has been battling with serious erosion for over two decades.
Some of the residents of the community who spoke with our correspondent, described the situation as very worrisome.
The Chairman of the Abata Jagun Community, Mallam Solihu Ariyo, lamented the present condition of residents in the community which he described as
Ariyo noted with displeasure that the ugly development has been hindering social and economic activities of the residents.
He said many residents of the community have been forced to vacate the houses because of negative effects of the erosion.
He further lamented the community has been totally cut off from other parts of Ilorin metropolis, thereby preventing their children from attending schools.
According to him “The problem of erosion in our community has become a source of worry and serious concern to residents. This ugly development which has been ravaging the community for many years, has rendered many residents homeless.
“Those of us are still residing in the community at the mercy of God could not sleep with our eyes closed especially any time it rains. We could not access basic amenities as the pipe which supplied water Sobi Dam to the community had been destroyed and washed away by erosion.
“In addition to that, the transformer which supplies electricity to the community is almost uprooted by the erosion. This has caused a serious apprehension among the residents because if urgent steps are not taken, the community may be in black out till only God knows”.
Ariyo appealed to the state government to urgently come to the aid of the community through the channelization and dredging of the river.
He also appealed to the lawmakers representing the state at the national assembly to facilitate the inclusion of the project in the Federal Government ecological funds with a view to ensuring budgetary provision for the execution of the project.
Another community leader, Alhaji Yahaya Cisse said residents of the community have written several letters to previous government to seek for their intervention but with no positive response.
He added that several palliative steps put in place by the community proved futile because it would require huge amount of money to find a lasting solution to the problem.
Cisse and other residents of the community therefore appealed to the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to urgently come to their help.
