By Patrick Obia
Residents of Ikot Effanga Mkpa Community in Calabar Municipality Local Government Area of Cross River State have called on the Government and relevant authorities to come to their rescue due to the ravaging ravines in the area.
The residents who expressed dismay on the danger it poses to the area, said they are frustrated and Government should have human sympathy on the people adding that despite various calls, peaceful protests to State House of Assembly and Governor’s office to mention but a few, have amounted to deaf ears.
Speaking with this reporter, Mr. Joseph Thomas said the whole situation is worrisome because many houses have been consumed and they cannot sleep with their two eyes closed especially as they approach the raining season.
He further disclosed that, the only road that leads to a school located around the area is already threatened by the valley, calling on the Government to yield to their plights before lives will be lost.
“You can see many houses have all gone because of the erosion. There is nothing we can do, we cannot block it, we cannot stop the rain. We are even expecting the Government to come and help because it is almost getting to the road to condemn it and people cannot come from the other village to this side.
“So many houses from down there, all that side there were houses, upstairs, churches as you can see (he gestured) but now nothing.
“Government have come here, companies have come here, nothing is done. They will just come and check and go back. Government should come and work this place for us because it is bad. It started little by little, we complained it to the Government. We have one school down and we are into the raining season and once the road is cut off, there is no way students can pass. Please let Government come and help even if it is to fill it small as they did for other people.” He cried out.
Speaking also, Samuel John and neighbours whose rooms are just at the tip of the ravine, said they have lost hope and are just at the mercy of God.
“People are suffering here and sometimes no light, it is annoying. Everytime they come, they will come and video it, say this, this, that and will go and do nothing; no reasonable thing going on here, all these are people’s houses and lands. Look at how everywhere is damaging for nothing; Government will not have human sympathy to do it until it gets to highway and claim lives.
“We even protested to the Governor’s office and the State House of Assembly and till today nobody is saying anything. They are frustrating us. Should rain fall now, it looks like Agbokim water falls.” He said in despair.
See pictures below.
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