Agbor Residents Seek Urgent Govt Intervention as Erosion Threatens Families, Homes

Residents of Yahweh Street, behind the Ayo Ben area in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, have raised alarm over worsening erosion and flooding that have rendered parts of the community unsafe, forcing several families to abandon their homes.

The residents are calling on the Delta State Government, the Ika South Local Government Council, and the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Benjamin Ikenchuku, Keagborekuzi I, CON, to urgently intervene before the environmental crisis escalates into a humanitarian disaster.

According to community members, Yahweh Street is located within a low-lying riverine area that has historically experienced seasonal flooding. However, they alleged that the situation has become significantly worse following the construction of Ayo Ben Street, the major access road serving Yahweh Street and neighbouring communities.

They claimed that the newly constructed road altered the natural flow of stormwater, diverting huge volumes of runoff into Yahweh Street, thereby accelerating erosion and flooding across the area.

Residents said the continuous erosion has created deep gullies and dangerous sinkholes that widen after every rainfall, swallowing sections of the road and threatening nearby residential buildings.

They disclosed that several homeowners have suffered severe structural damage, while many landlords and long-time residents have been forced to relocate after their homes became unsafe for habitation. Numerous tenants have also reportedly vacated the area over fears of building collapse and other safety concerns.

Beyond displacing residents, the expanding gullies have become major hazards to pedestrians and motorists. Community members said valuable properties, perimeter fences, drainage channels and other public infrastructure have either been destroyed or are on the verge of collapse.

The residents warned that without urgent intervention, more buildings could be lost to erosion, leaving additional families homeless and exposing lives to grave danger.

They appealed to the Delta State Government, relevant environmental and emergency management agencies, the Ika South Local Government Council and the traditional institution to urgently inspect the affected community and implement lasting flood control and erosion management measures.

According to them, constructing effective drainage systems, erosion control structures and rehabilitating the damaged road network would help safeguard lives and property while restoring confidence among residents who have watched their community deteriorate with every rainy season.

As rainfall intensifies across the state, residents of Yahweh Street say they hope their appeal will receive immediate attention before the worsening environmental challenge claims more homes, livelihoods and possibly lives.