Residents cry out as erosion forces people out of homes in Kwara
Residents of several communities in Kwara State, particularly in the Ilorin East, Ilorin South, and Ilorin West local government areas, have been grappling with severe erosion issues for over two decades.
The affected communities include Abata Jagun and Ifesowapo in Ilorin East, Akorede community in Ilorin South, and Abata-Suban community in Ilorin West. These erosion problems have not only degraded the environment but have also significantly impacted the socioeconomic development of these areas.
The chairman of the Abata Jagun community expressed deep concern regarding the extent of degradation caused by erosion. He noted that many residents have been forced to leave their homes due to the severity of the situation.
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The erosion has also cut off access to other parts of Ilorin metropolis, further isolating these communities. Another community leader from Akorede highlighted that massive gully erosion has led to cracks in residential buildings and has nearly destroyed the only access road serving their community. This ongoing crisis has created a sense of dread among residents during the rainy season, as any indication of rain brings fears of further damage.
Despite repeated efforts to seek assistance from previous state administrations, residents have found little relief. Community leaders are now calling on both state and federal governments to take urgent action by channeling and dredging rivers that flow through their areas to mitigate flooding and erosion.
In Offa Local Government Area, another community known as Ejiwunmi Enji Area 1 is facing similar challenges due to incessant flooding that has devastated homes and businesses.
A fish farmer from this area recounted how he incurred significant debt after losing his entire stock due to flooding two years ago. Residents have attempted to expand drainage systems themselves; however, these efforts have proven inadequate against the overwhelming volume of water during heavy rains.
The Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority was involved in constructing flood control structures along Enji River; however, residents criticized these efforts as insufficient due to narrow drainage designs that fail to accommodate heavy rainfall effectively. An expert suggested that a V-shaped drainage system would be more appropriate than the U-shaped design currently implemented.
Furthermore, it was revealed that despite substantial funds allocated for flood control projects by the federal government, many residents feel that these projects do not meet their needs or specifications. The lack of adequate infrastructure continues to threaten their livelihoods and safety.
It is evident that erosion and flooding are critical issues affecting multiple communities in Kwara State. The persistent nature of these environmental challenges highlights a need for comprehensive governmental intervention and effective project execution to restore safety and stability for affected residents.
The head of the Ecology and Conservation Unit in the state Ministry of Environment, Mr Ilyas AbdulGaniyu, said that the Ecological Project Office in the Presidency is responsible for executing ecological projects in any federation state.
However, he stated that the only ongoing ecological project in the state is the dredging and construction of the embankment of the Asa River in Ilorin. He said that the ministry’s only involvement is in supervising the project.
