Morganable News / Communities
Residents of Auchi, Edo State, are calling for urgent action as expanding gullies threaten homes, roads, businesses and livelihoods across parts of the community.
Lagos —
Residents of Auchi in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State are seeking urgent intervention as erosion continues to damage parts of the community.
The growing gullies have become a concern for residents, particularly those living close to affected areas. They say heavy rainfall, poor drainage and increasing development are worsening the situation and putting homes and livelihoods at risk.
One of the residents facing the threat is Mrs Adiza Shuaib, whose home is close to a widening gully. She has expressed concern that continued erosion could eventually cause the building to collapse.
For Shuaib, losing the house would be a serious setback because it remains her major source of security. She has therefore appealed to the Edo State Government, relevant agencies, philanthropists and other well-meaning Nigerians to assist her before the situation becomes worse.
A Growing Community Challenge
Residents say erosion has become a recurring problem, especially during the rainy season. As rainwater moves through streets and drainage channels, it carries soil away and gradually widens existing gullies.
Some residents have had to seek temporary shelter as erosion threatens their properties. Families living close to vulnerable areas also fear that heavy rainfall could cause more damage.
Poor or inadequate drainage makes the situation worse. In some locations, existing drainage systems are unable to handle the volume of water generated by rainfall and growing development.
Waste disposal is another concern. When plastic and other refuse block drainage channels, stormwater can overflow onto roads and residential areas, increasing pressure on already vulnerable soil.
Residents Seek Permanent Solution
The Serikin Samali of Auchi, Chief Inu Mukhtar, has called for urgent intervention over erosion affecting Engineer Momoh Street, off Aviele Road.
According to him, the affected channel is connected to the main drainage system carrying water from Usoguie Market through the Auchi-Aviele Road.
Mukhtar said the problem had become more serious since the rainy season began. He explained that rapid development had increased the volume of water flowing from surrounding houses, while the drainage system was built years ago for a smaller level of runoff.
As the drainage channel struggles to contain the water, excess flow escapes into surrounding areas. The moving water then washes away soil and gradually expands the gully.
Residents and landlords have tried to reduce the impact themselves. Mukhtar said they constructed three dams to slow the speed and volume of the water.
They also created temporary troughs in the main drainage channel using truckloads of wood and debris. However, these measures are only temporary and cannot replace properly designed erosion-control infrastructure.
Mukhtar has therefore urged the local government and other relevant authorities to make the problem a priority before the erosion causes further destruction.
Government Response
The concerns from Auchi come as Edo State authorities are seeking early intervention in erosion-prone areas across the state.
The Edo State Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency, EDOFEWMA, recently called for action before small erosion sites develop into larger disasters.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Okoyomoh, said the agency had identified major gullies across Edo’s three senatorial districts. He explained that more than 35 erosion-control designs had been completed and that some civil works would begin after the rains subside.
The agency’s position highlights the need for prevention rather than waiting until erosion has destroyed homes, roads and other infrastructure.
A University of Lagos team has also presented a soil-stabilisation approach involving nano-silica, nanotechnology and organic soil vegetation. According to the team, the method is intended to strengthen loose soil and reduce the rate at which it is washed away.
The Wider Impact
The situation in Auchi reflects a broader environmental challenge affecting communities across Nigeria.
Flooding and erosion can damage homes, roads, farms and businesses. When farmland is destroyed, families can lose important sources of income.
Damaged roads can also make transportation difficult, while residents may spend money repairing properties or moving to safer locations.
In Auchi, residents say they need more than temporary measures. They want properly designed drainage systems, erosion-control structures, regular maintenance and better waste management.
The demand is particularly important for vulnerable residents whose homes are already close to expanding gullies.
For people such as Shuaib, the issue is not simply about damaged soil. It is about the safety of their homes and the security of their livelihoods.
Community members are therefore asking government agencies to move quickly, especially while the effects of the rainy season remain visible.
A Lasting Solution
The erosion problem in Auchi has existed for years, but residents’ latest concerns show that the challenge remains unresolved in some areas.
A lasting response will require coordination between government agencies, local authorities, community leaders and residents. Drainage infrastructure must be designed to match the volume of stormwater generated by the community, while existing channels need regular maintenance.
Residents also have a role to play by avoiding activities that block waterways and drainage channels. However, community efforts alone cannot address large gullies that require engineering solutions.
For Auchi residents, the priority is clear: prevent the erosion from spreading further and protect homes, roads, businesses and livelihoods.
As the community waits for stronger intervention, residents say every heavy rainfall brings renewed concern. They want action before more land is lost and more families are forced to confront the consequences of a problem they say has become too serious to ignore.
