The Amachai Quarters in Okpanam, Oshimili North LGA of Delta, has sent a save-our-soul appeal to the State Government for urgent intervention over the worsening road conditions and growing erosion menace.
The residents of the area, under the aegis of the Amachai Community Landlords Association, took their concerns to the Government House, Asaba, in a peaceful protest on Thursday.
According to them, years of self-help efforts have failed to contain the damage caused by persistent rainfall and perennial flooding.
The Chairman of the association, Mr Chukwunenye Okonkwo, said the residents had repeatedly repaired sections of the main road to the area with stones and other materials.
Okonkwo, however, regretted that heavy rains had continued to wash away the repairs, leaving the road in a deplorable condition and beyond the community’s capacity to fix.
He described erosion as the residents’ most pressing challenge, warning that a rapidly expanding gully now threatened lives, residential homes and other structures.
He said that the erosion channel carries floodwaters from Okpanam and surrounding areas, thereby worsening environmental degradation.
While commending Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori for the developmental projects across the state, the residents urged the government to quickly intervene before the situation escalates.
Responding to the protesters’ appeal, the Director of Protocol, Government House, Asaba, Chief Sunday Onoriode, assured them that their petition would be delivered to the governor.
Onoriode said that Oborevwori’s administration remained committed to addressing the needs of the people and responding to genuine concerns raised by citizens.
He assured the protesters that their requests would receive prompt consideration and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to people-centred governance.
Onoriode also cautioned against any actions capable of disrupting the peaceful nature of the protest, emphasing the need for orderly engagement.