EFFECT OF NATURAL DISASTER ON DEVELOPMENT- The Case of Amachara Community

EFFECT OF NATURAL DISASTER ON DEVELOPMENT- The Case of Amachara Community

By RITA CHIKWE

One of the problems Nigeria is currently facing is soil erosion - both sheet and gully erosion due to natural and human causes. Erosion has a devastating effect on many people's lives and destroys essential infrastructure for economic development and poverty alleviation. According to " The Nigeria erosion water shed management project ( NEWMAP), Gully erosion contributes to environmental problems and damage, estimated at over 100 million dollars annually mostly in south Eastern Nigeria. However, the situation goes beyond what the communities, local government, states and federal government can address as it needs the intervention of development partners. Severe environmental degradation appears to be threatening the long-term development prospects of countries all over the world, particularly  developing countries such as Nigeria.

 According to Hishman (1993) the issue of protection of the environment became a topical debate in rio de Janeiro, brazil in June 1992. The World Bank estimates that more than a million people in sub- Saharan Africa still live in acute poverty and suffer gross inadequate access to resources required to give them opportunity for economic development. Development if it is to be sustainable should be environmentally safe, socially and economically equitable. Here in Imo State, a community Amachara Avuvu in Ikeduru LGA has lamented over the dilapidated site of their road which has been ravaged by flood and erosion. Amachara people are farmers and are  popularly known for their palm wine production. According to history, they migrated from Inyishi to Azaregbelu in search of greener pastures due to bad road caused by flood and erosion, their  farming activities was grossly affected as there is no motorable road that leads outside the community to owerri town where the Farmers can sell their farm products.  Sources from the community disclosed that during the tenure of his excellency Sam Mbakwe, Amachara has a connecting road linking from Azaregbelu to Avuvu, Amakohia, Amuzu Ahiazu mbaise down to Owerri -Umuahia road.

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The erosion in Amachara Avuvu is located at an area called Azunwuolu. The Azunwuolu has become a valley. It is the major road that connects the village to other villages in avuvu. Azunwuolu was named after a woman who lives behind the erosion site. The erosion site was named after her as a reference point to the location where the erosion happened. It is located at Amaato Avuvu and it is the way out from the village. 

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Amachara is the home of Army Generals like General Simon Njoku and Frank okpara, Colonel George ogu, and a business man Ernest ihejirika and other wealthy sons and daughters. It was noted that the community has reached out to the government through these noble men, yet there is no intervention by the government in their community.

 The community has attempted several times to fix the road. The chairman of the community, Mr Emma Anyanwu disclosed that they have spent up to 670,000 naira which they generated from the community members. The community, through their meagre income generates money monthly and yearly to work on the road.

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 The youth leader of Amachara Avuvu, Mr Ndubueze Chigozie added that the youths of the community has made attempts to make the road motorable but all to no avail. They have called on the government of imo State and their prominent sons and daughters to intervene. They lamented that their community has been abandoned and neglected and they are only remembered when there is an election campaign.

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  It was gathered from the villagers that during the tenure of former governor of Imo State Rochas okorocha there was an attempt to reconstruct the road by the government, however it was abandoned and the contractors were last seen in the year 2022.

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 Meanwhile, a road construction in Avuvu which was carried out by NDDC which was expected to start from Amakohia and extend to Azaraegbelu was abandoned early last year. the community members who expressed their displeasure over the development added that they would have been happier if the construction continued, and extended to Azaregbelu as it will benefit the people of Amakohia and Amachara Avuvu.

While making enquiries on the factors that contributed to the bad state of the road at Avuvu Amachara. the youth leader disclosed that lack of good drainage system which helps in easily flow of water is one of the major factors. Another factor mentioned is urbanization. As the population of the people increases, number of houses increases as well. most of the houses were not built properly as they blocked water ways, preventing free flow of water when it rains. Farmers who farmed by the roadside also contribute to it in a large extent as the extend their planting to the road.

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The erosion has affected the business life of the people, especially people who trade in Owerri town. Due to the state of the road, businessmen and women can no longer sell off their products in town and it affects their businesses and steady income. The bad state of the road has increased the transportation fare in the community as commuters do not agree to ply the road, students and teachers are not left out as it prevents them from going to school.

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The flood and erosion has affected crops planted at the Azunwuolu area and the community in their wisdom have decided to plant crops like plantain banana and raffia trees. The place has become a swampy area and there are wild animals living there making the place inhabitable and dangerous for the community members.

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 However the community members have expressed joy and happiness on seeing the members of omalicha FM in their community.

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They have called on the government,  sons and daughters of the community to come to their aid and they have also pleaded that good drainage system be built in their area which links to the village stream to reduce flooding and erosion. They added that the state government can also generate income from the community through sand excavation if the road is fixed.

Furthermore, if the government can work on rural roads that leads to villages and communities, it would offer better transportation facilities by creating linkages and increase the opportunities to access goods and services located in nearby villages or major towns and markets. It will boost agricultural activities and productivity and ensure diversification of agricultural activity, improve mobility and save time, make way for more livelihood opportunities, give access to education and socio-economic benefits.

 It goes without saying that rural roads are a key component of rural development.

Meanwhile, Omalicha 91.1fm, owerri, have contacted the Commissioner for works, Mr Ralph Nwosu to get his response on the state of roads in southeast region but due to his tight schedule he was not able to come on the show, but as soon as we are able to hear from him, we will let you know his response in our subsequent edition.

 This documentary was narrated by Rita Chikwe , produced by Stanley Akalaon. Executive Producer, Angela Agoawike, Station Manager, Peter Chima Egwuatu, Honorable Ikenna Ogoke, Station Engr Uwakwe Augustine Chinonso

Our thanks  to the  the community members, Mr Omenneji Ben Uka, Mr Emma Anyanwu, village chairman Amachara Avuvu, Elder Basil Monday Ogbede, the Youth leader, Mr Ndubueze Chigozie, Oke Nazareth Kabaka, Osuagwu Macdonald Ozioma and other members of the community.