Women from Oko community in Orumba North Local Government of Anambra State on Tuesday took to the streets in protest over the menace of erosion in the community.
The women who filed out in their numbers from all the villages of the community decried the activities of sand excavators, accusing them of being responsible for the escalation of the menace of erosion in the area.
The women said the continuous excavation of sand in the area had made the community vulnerable to erosion which had wreaked havoc in the area.
The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions. Some of the placards read: “Government should stop this menace”, “Dr Alex Ekwueme’s family house is threatened by erosion”, “Sand excavators are endangering the future and hope of our children”, “our children will have no homes of theirs if this is allowed to continue”.
They called on the state government to come to their aid to stop the development.
One of the leaders of the women, Beatrice Ezeani told journalists that, “We can’t allow this to continue any more.
“Some of our men collaborate with outsiders to cause this mayhem on us and the future of our children. Erosion has caused the deaths of our loved ones.
“We’ve lost everything to erosion; and this erosion is caused by human activities, especially land excavation. That’s why we are here today to say enough is enough.
“If this thing doesn’t stop, next time we shall protest, you will see us nude. Our children must have a home. The society we abuse today shall tell on our children tomorrow.”
Oko/Nanka erosion has been a perennial nightmare to the people of the area, often resulting to minor landslides.
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