Residents of Iriamogu Village, Dindi-Ihiagwa Autonomous Community, Owerri West LGA of Imo State, have raised concerns over the alleged environmental impact of ongoing dredging activities along the Otammiri River waterfront.
They called on the government to urgently intervene and safeguard the community and its environment.
The residents said that the situation has moved beyond an environmental dispute, alleging that continued dredging is contributing to the loss of land, degradation of roads, destruction of farmlands, and damage to properties within the area.
According to them their greatest concern is the reported proximity of the advancing erosion and unstable terrain to critical electricity infrastructure serving the wider area.
The president general of Iriamogu development union, Mr. Joseph Oforegbu, during a fact-finding visit to the community with journalists and members of a civil society organization, expressed concern over what he described as the increasing environmental damage allegedly associated with dredging operations.
He said that the community has become increasingly worried about the effect of the activities on the physical environment and the possibility of heightened tension, particularly among youths who are demanding immediate action.
Oforegbu appealed to Governor Hope Uzodinma and the relevant authorities to intervene before the situation deteriorated further, stressing that community leaders were concerned about their ability to contain growing frustration if the perceived threat remained unresolved.
The deputy president general of Iriamogu Village, Mr. Chukwunonyerem Mbawuike, said the community had made several attempts to engage the operators over the alleged environmental impact but claimed that those efforts had not produced the desired solution.
He disclosed that the community was considering taking its concerns directly to the Government House in Owerri and other relevant government institutions in order to draw official attention to what it described as an increasingly serious environmental challenge.
Mbawuike also called for an independent assessment of the area, including a review of the environmental requirements applicable to the dredging operation and an examination of the company’s operating licence to determine whether its approved scope covers the location where the activities are taking place.
He further alleged that previous attempts by government authorities and community members to restrict access to the dredging site had not permanently halted operations.
The Iriamogu village youth leader, mr. Ugochukwu Aharamwa, said the reported destruction of roads, farmlands and properties had heightened anxiety among residents.
He expressed concern that continued erosion could worsen the instability of the riverbank, potentially exposing nearby infrastructure to greater risk.
Of particular concern to the community is the reported presence of national electricity infrastructure within the wider area.