FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
The Ayogwiri community in Uzairue clan of Etsako west Local Government Area ran out of patience in the early hours of yesterday and angrily blocked the Ayogwiri section of the Auchi- Agenebode road to register their displeasure over the continued neglect of gully erosion threatening to totally cut off the Auchi-Agenebode road at Ayogwiri end.
Travellers to neighbouring Fugar, headquarters of Etsako Central Local Government Area; Ogbona; Iraokor; Agenegbode headquarters of Etsako East Local Government Area; and several communities have to embark on what is akin to the Biblical Israelite journey to get to their destinations.
Commuters going to these communities on the other side of the gully erosion now have to go embark on a circuitous journey through the old Auchi-Agenegbode before getting to their destinations.
A journey from Ayogwiri to Fugar which is supposed to take 15 minutes now takes 45 minutes as drivers have to go to Jattu (Ikpe) to join the old Auchi-Agenegbode Road and branch of at Ekperi before hitting Fugar.
A community leader who simply gave his name as Ayokha explained that the erosion menace started as a tiny hole which expanded to a big hole and subsequently to a deep gully erosion which has almost cut the road into two.
Ayokha lamented that the spirited efforts of the locals to arrest the situation was in vain as torrential rains swept away whatever little remedial work they did.
He appealed to appealed to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Federal government to immediately intervene and resolve the erosion menace.
He pleaded: “The state government should do something about the road. The road connects the three local government areas of Etsako West, East and Central Local Government. Several communities in Etsako East and Central Local Government Areas have been cut off from Etsako West. The situation has added to the high transport fares following the recent increase in petrol price.
“Governor Obaseki should please come to our aid. Several houses along the road are also threatened. We are also appealing to Senator Adams Oshiomhole and House of Representatives member for Etsako Federal Constituency, Dekeri to join hands and tackle the ecological disaster.”
A youth leader who does not want his name in print disclosed that they resolved to block the road to vehicles to protest against government neglect and also to arrest the deterioration of the road.
He wailed: The state government has failed in its responsibility. A few years ago, the gully was just a little hole but the government refused to do something about it. It kept expanding over the years to the extent that the road is almost cut off. Left with no choice, we have to cordon off the road. The action is also for the safety of drivers as they risked plunging into the gully in the event of losing control.
Mr. Ahmed Umaru, a leader In the Community confirmed the reality of the situation, noting that his hometown of Iraokor is one of the affected communities.
Imari said the deputy governor is from Jattu-Uzairue and is aware of the deep gully. Adding that,It’s only after the rains that something serious can be done.