ANAMBRA LAND & REST OF GROUND ZERO CONSUMED BY GULLY EROSION
Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D.
“According to Azugo, "The seasonal fluvial and gully erosion problems always experienced by our people have been caused by road construction firms and their supervising consultants, obviously, due to lack of foresight at the design stage or to inadequacies in the performance of the supervising consultants or both………
…… He said: "When they started the construction, we told them that we know the history of this channel, that they should let us work with them so that, we would show them the original channels of the flood, for their drainage system would run across the traditional channels of the flood flow, but they ignored us.
"Today, their contract is over and they are gone, but the people of Nnobi are suffering. The community is cut into two and one side will have to go through two other towns before coming to their brothers on the other side".” – News Report (THE NATION)
Umuibe,
The paradox in Anambra State is that the price of development, or should I say chaotic unplanned development, is becoming too costly for grassroots inhabitants of ground zero to bear. From the narrative below, it is clear that the much-needed road construction projects in the state is a leading cause of worsening gully erosion problem that is now overwhelming the area. By the way, the anonymous road construction company alluded to in this report is the same RCC which had abandoned its former work site at the Uke junction to the full onslaught of storm water erosion. Despite the reassuring promise emanating from the office of Anambra state governor to take immediate action to remedy the situation, information obtained this morning from ground zero affirms that nothing has been done at the former RCC site and that the newly formed gully erosion is now encroaching upon and threatening to sever the recently built Nnobi-Nkpor and Uke-Abetete roads.
The gully erosion devastation in Nnobi is part of the same complex that is devouring sections of Nnewichi in Nnewi, Ojoto, Ideani, Alor and Oraukwu. It is noteworthy that the afflicted individuals and communities in this corridor are basically left on their own to cope with this unrelenting menace empty-handed. The state government, according to this report, took a look at the ensuing disaster at Nnobi and backed away promising “to look into the plight of the people by liaising with the Federal Government and some donor agencies”, whatever that means.
The unusually high rainfall that ground zero receives in recent times is part of climatic change brought about by global warming. With each deluge, the solution to ground zero’s gully erosion quandary gets more complicated since, as we speak, the state governments concerned are still treating this menace with kid gloves and bewildering nonchalance. The situation in Anambra is more dire due to the fact that there is no legitimized governance at local government level to act as the first line of defense. The political elite in Anambra are more focused on who would out-jostle the rest for the privilege to occupy Awka State House than in addressing the basic need of dwellers in communities being swallowed by rapidly advancing erosion gullies throughout the state. Anambra still does not have elected local government councils and therefore, all matters of governance for the entire state must emanate and converge on the governor’s desk or nothing happens.
It has now become imperative that conscientious citizens of ground zero must begin today to demand greater accountability from those in power who are literarily supervising over the worst episode of widespread ruination of our ancestral land in recorded history. The fundamentals of governance are being thrown to the dogs by those elected to lead and manage the affairs of our grassroots population. It is sad and perplexing that so much noise is regularly being made in these Igbo forums by interested parties about so-called good governance which may be nothing more than an illusion since even basic protection of citizens’ living space and ancestral domain are treated as non issues by those who control the disbursement of our collective largesse.
Ground zero is slowly dying. Our most valuable ancestral heritage, the land, is disappearing before our very eyes and even the mightiest amongst our great political leaders is dazed, dumfounded and incapable of putting together a meaningful coherent effort to stem the tide of the biggest tragedy of our times.
Okenwa.
WIEF 2008
From:
wi...@googlegroups.com [mailto:wi...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of aan...@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 11:34 PM
To: wi...@googlegroups.com; asa...@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WIEF FORUM] Help, we are perishing, Anambra community cries out
over erosion menace
THE NATION
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The people of Nnobi, a community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, are desperate. Their desperation becomes visible as soon as you step on their soil.
It is common to behold people carrying all manners of items on their heads, their children straddling their backs, like refugees. They are20fleeing in droves.
Those who still have the courage to stay, hoping for divine intervention to save the day, wear mournful looks. The community looks forlorn.
Something is gravely amiss. And that is the erosion menace they have been contending with for sometime. Now, it has got to a crisis point something concrete has to be done or the place sinks.
"Houses are at the brink of collapse; our lives are being threatened seriously, we’re becoming refugees in our own homes", laments one of the villagers.
One of the most pathetic victims of the menace is 70-year old Pa Samuel Ogbacha, a partially blind pensioner, whose home had been damaged by the perennial flooding problem. For the septuagenarian, it is a most hopeless situation because he built the house with all he had laboured for in life as a modest civil servant.
"In fact, another indigene warns, "if nothing is done between now and the next one month, many of our homes will be washed away by flood because the rains have been so heavy and there is no sign of abasement yet."
As at now, the depth of the erosion, which ha s almost completely cut off the community from its neighbours, has reached a frightening 30 metres. For the avoidance of doubt, Nnobi, a sedate community with a population of about 300,000 people, parades a galaxy of distinguished personalities. One of them is the former governor of the state, Dr. Chris Ngige, whose mother hails from the area. Nnobi is situated in-between Akwa-Etiti Nnewi, Alor and Ideani towns.
So, the latest problem could be described as fortuitous because the Ngige government, it was said, actually awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the Nnobi-Nkpor Road three years ago to a construction company (names withheld). The said company was alleged to have diverted the flood channel from its original course to the nearby Ndam and Umuagu villages of Nnobi town.
This was said to have created the problem. Efforts to reach the company to rectify the damage, those who spoke to Newsextra claimed, had been fruitless. The company is believed to have already left Anambra State.
Though, the community has been having problem of leadership since their traditional ruler, Igwe Edmond Ezeokoli, died in 2001, but20some of the elders of the area have been at the forefront of piloting the affairs of the troubled town.
One of them is Dr Wilson Ifeanyi Azugo, a community leader popularly referred to as Ichie Onoja. He has written a Save Our Soul (SOS) letter to the Minister of Environment and Ecology, through Senator Annie Okonkwo, representing Anambra Central Senatorial Zone at the National Assembly, in which he is appealing for an aid to their plight.
The letter, which was written on September 4, said that the huge gully had cutt-off the DFFRI constructed road that provides an easy access to Nnobi for the people of the neighbouring autonomous communities of Nnokwa and Alor who regularly transact businesses with the Nnobi Magistrate’s Court, Nnobi Customary Court, the Idemili South Police Divisional Headquarters, Nnobi High School and the Afor Nnobi Market.
According to Azugo, "The seasonal fluvial and gully erosion problems always experienced by our people have been caused by road construction firms and their supervising consultants, obviously, due to lack of foresight at the design stage or to inadequacies in the performance of the supervising consultants or both.
"In this particular case, instead of channeling flood water into the villages, the company, should have provided a short side drain that would have discharged the floods into the nearby Obiaja River", he explained.
He added: "As at now, with a depth of 30 metres at the head, it will cost the government a huge sum of money to mitigate the avoidable disaster and our prayer is two-fold; an extreme urgent action to check the gully erosion and to block the entry of flood water into the villages by providing a suitable side drain along the Nkpor-Nnobi federal road, to link up with an existing one a few metres away to channel the flood freely down to Obiaja River: "This when actualised, will reduce by more than 90 percent, the problems of our area, an urgent inspection visit to the affected area is absolutely necessary."
Ichie Eddy Ojukwu, another community leader from Umuagu, who spoke with Newsextra, said their fear is, if the problem is not tackled by any agency or government within the next few months, most of the buildings, over 15 of them, including his country home sitting at the edge of the erosion channel, will go down the drains.
The elderly Ojukwu, a pharmacist, further told Newsextra that he is not counting the cost that he had put into the erosion, including provision of, and facilitation for the planting of bamboos which seemed like an exercise in futility because they had all been swallowed due to the torrential rains. He had harsh words for the offending construction company.
He said: "When they started the construction, we told them that we know the history of this channel, that they should let us work with them so that, we would show them the original channels of the flood, for their drainage system would run across the traditional channels of the flood flow, but they ignored us.
"Today, their contract is over and they are gone, but the people of Nnobi are suffering. The community is cut into two and one side will have to go through two other towns before coming to their brothers on the other side".
He told Newsextra that the community had comtemplated instituting legal action against the company but he and other community leaders advised their people to exercise caution because, according to him, we are not trouble makers but peace lovers and again, what the company did in the area was a very good job on the Nnobi road since we cried for it.
He regretted that it was the arrogance and callous ness of some of the site engineers that are now causing the community the pains and agony.
When Newsextra visited the place over the weekend, a kiosk owner, who gave her name simply as Mrs. Okelu, lamented that the entire village is living in fear.
She pointed to a palm tree that had caved into the gully."That palm tree you see was standing there two days ago, but you can see for yourself that it has caved in", she said.
Walking through the gully, our correspondent discovered that the concrete drainage which the communities had erected to direct the flood and the one done by the construction company had all been washed into the gully.
Already, the state government had visited the gully site but it seems to be handicapped because the magnitude has gone beyond its capacity. However, it has promised to look into the plight of the people by liaising with the Federal Government and some donor agencies.
When Senator Annie Okonkwo visited Nanka Erosion site recently, he told the traditional ruler of the place, Igwe Gilbert Ofomata, that he had formed a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to solve the erosion problems in Anambra State.
Okonkwo said that he was working in tandem with the National Assembly as the Deputy Chairman of Senate Committee on Ecology and world leading agencies including the governments at both the state and federal levels as well as individuals to make the dream a reality.
Also during the visit, Newsextra found out that about 15 houses lined on the edge of the gully on Umuagu village divide were on shaky grounds. Those buildings may not survive the next rainy season. One Mr. Ojukwu, an electronic maintenance engineer, lamented that situations like that show the emptiness of the governments in Nigeria.
Azugo, told Newsextra that he had invested over N5 million on his own in his reclamation bid in his area through the provision of over 200 tipper loads of red laterite from a burrow pit to tip on the sites thinking that it would remedy the situation but all to no avail
He regretted that the most painful aspect of it all is that the monster had pulled down his perimeter fencing, adding that his building is likely to be washed off any moment from now. He spoke in tears. Who will help? |
Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D.
Chike,
Elected local government councils can begin to function as the first line of defense in addressing issues of uncontrolled storm water erosion which result in formation of gullies that devastate “sections of Nnewichi in Nnewi, Ojoto, Ideani, Alor and Oraukwu” and many more other localities in Anambra state.
The local government councils can be effective in this defense by deploying whatever is at their disposal, including mobilizing the support of local communities within their jurisdictions to begin to do something within their immediate neighborhoods.
Okenwa.
From:
WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Chike Odunukwe
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 12:59 AM
To: WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com
Cc: Anambr...@yahoogroups.com; ASA USA; IGBO EVENTS; IGBO FORUM; IDU
USA; WIEF FORUM
Subject: Re: [WorldIgboCongress] ANAMBRA LAND & REST OF GROUND ZERO
CONSUMED BY GULLY EROSION
"The unusually high rainfall that ground zero receives in recent times is part of climatic change brought about by global warming. With each deluge, the solution to ground zero's gully erosion quandary gets more complicated since, as we speak, the state governments concerned are still treating this menace with kid gloves and bewildering nonchalance. The situation in Anambra is more dire due to the fact that there is no legitimized governance at local government level to act as the first line of defense. The political elite in Anambra are more focused on who would out-jostle the rest for the privilege to occupy Awka State House than in addressing the basic need of dwellers in communities being swallowed by rapidly advancing erosion gullies throughout the state. Anambra still does not have elected local government councils and therefore, all matters of governance for the entire state must emanate and converge on the governor's desk or nothing happens."Okenwa
Okenwa:
What are they defending and with what and how
are they going to defend whatever it is they are being tasked to defend.
Chike C Odunukwe
The letter, which was written on September 4, said that the huge gully had cut-off the DFFRI constructed road that provides an easy access to Nnobi for the people of the neighbouring autonomous communities of Nnokwa and Alor who regularly transact businesses with the Nnobi Magistrate's Court, Nnobi Customary Court, the Idemili South Police Divisional Headquarters, Nnobi High School and the Afor Nnobi Market. |
|
According to Azugo, "The seasonal fluvial and gully erosion problems always experienced by our people have been caused by road construction firms and their supervising consultants, obviously, due to lack of foresight at the design stage or to inadequacies in the performance of the supervising consultants or both. "In this particular case, instead of channeling flood water into the villages, the company, should have provided a short side drain that would have discharged the floods into the nearby Obiaja River", he explained. He added: "As at now, with a depth of 30 metres at the head, it will cost the government a huge sum of money to mitigate the avoidable disaster and our prayer is two-fold; an extreme urgent action to check the gully erosion and to block the entry of flood water into the villages by providing a suitable side drain along the Nkpor-Nnobi federal road, to link up with an existing one a few metres away to channel the flood freely down to Obiaja River: "This when actualised, will reduce by more than 90 percent, the problems of our area, an urgent inspection visit to the affected area is absolutely necessary." Ichie Eddy Ojukwu, another community leader from Umuagu, who spoke with Newsextra, said their fear is, if the problem is not tackled by any agency or government within the next few months, most of the buildings, over 15 of them, including his country home sitting at the edge of the erosion channel, will go down the drains. The elderly Ojukwu, a pharmacist, further told Newsextra that he is not counting the cost that he had put into the erosion, including provision of, and facilitation for the planting of bamboos which seemed like an exercise in futility because they had all been swallowed due to the torrential rains. He had harsh words for the offending construction company. He said: "When they started the construction, we told them that we know the history of this channel, that they should let us work with them so that, we would show them the original channels of the flood, for their drainage system would run across the traditional channels of the flood flow, but they ignored us. "Today, their contract is over and they are gone, but the people of Nnobi are suffering. The community is cut into two and one side will have to go through two other towns before coming to their brothers on the other side". |
He told Newsextra that the community had contemplated instituting legal action against the company but he and other community leaders advised their people to exercise caution because, according to him, we are not trouble makers but peace lovers and again, what the company did in the area was a very good job on the Nnobi road since we cried for it. He regretted that it was the arrogance and callousness of some of the site engineers that are now causing the community the pains and agony. |
eze...@aol.com
I do not share your high hopes on the ability of local governments to
come through in arresting the devastating erosion in our State.
Remember that they have been in existence since 1999 in the current
democratic experiment. They were abysmal failures just like the State
governments until Peter Obi. Specifically, the Aguata Local government
was high-jacked by Chris Uba, sending the Council Chairman packing
extra-judicially. All allocations from the Federal pot went into the
pockets of the Councilmen. They were making more money than the State
Government officials. Doc., why do you think the eyes of the EFCC are
now being turned on the Local Governments? Stay well. David Obi
Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D.
Chike,
Let’s not make it appear as if control of storm water generated by heavy downpours that characterize the climate of ground zero has now become a rocket science. Our ancestors have mastered the procedure for erosion control and mitigation for centuries apparently without the sort of “knowledge” and “clue” to which you allude. Yes, despite all our people’s ignorance, we have historically been capable of taking good care of our land until recent times when things have obviously fallen apart. Our people
The question here for all of us to answer truthfully is what comes first; expert knowledge and technical skills to address the problem at hand or the willpower and determination to make a start? As the saying goes, once there is will to face a challenge, there must be a way to overcome it. On the other hand, technical knowhow that lacks the will to make even a modest beginning is of use to no one when all is said and done.
The local government councils (County Councils) in the US, for example, are not populated with technical experts on storm water management, but this level of governance is at the forefront for regulating erosion control policies within their areas of jurisdiction. There are lots of other constitutional roles for LG Councils which are still denied to the people because there has not been elections to constituted them in Anambra state as required by the law.
To answer your question directly, the elected local government councils in Anambra state can play their rightful role of being the first to take on the crisis situations and related emergencies in their domain before the arrival of higher levels of governance at the state or national levels to assist if needs be. Is this not the logical way things are done in other parts of Nigeria and elsewhere?
Okenwa.
From:
igbo_...@yahoogroups.com [mailto:igbo_...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Chike
Odunukwe
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 8:25 AM
To: WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com
Cc: asa...@yahoogroups.com; ANAMBRA FORUM; igbo_...@yahoogroups.com;
IGBO EVENTS; WIEF Forum; IDU USA Forum
Subject: [IGBO_FORUM] Re: [WorldIgboCongress] RE: ANAMBRA LAND &
REST OF GROUND ZERO CONSUMED BY GULLY EROSION
Okenwa:
They have neither the knowledge to do anything other than to intensify the problem, in a false attempt at tackling it. The engineers/contractors do not have a clue; how much more those without any training that will help them understand the problem, when explained to them. Making or electing one to the office of Local Government Chairman or counselor will not more knowledgeable that they were prior to their election.
What are they going to be doing in that their line of defense that would address the issues of uncontrolled stormwater? That type of attempts have in the past created big erosion gullies overnight.
Chike C Odunukwe
Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe
From: okenw...@covad.net
To: igbo_...@yahoogroups.com; WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com
CC: asa...@yahoogroups.com; Anambr...@yahoogroups.com; IgboE...@yahoogroups.com; wi...@googlegroups.com; idu...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [WIEF FORUM] RE: [IGBO_FORUM] ANAMBRA LAND & REST OF GROUND ZERO CONSUMED BY GULLY EROSION
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:27:27 -0400
Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe
From: okenw...@covad.net
To: igbo_...@yahoogroups.com; WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com
CC: asa...@yahoogroups.com; Anambr...@yahoogroups.com; IgboE...@yahoogroups.com; wi...@googlegroups.com; idu...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [WIEF FORUM] RE: [IGBO_FORUM] ANAMBRA LAND & REST OF GROUND ZERO CONSUMED BY GULLY EROSION
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:27:27 -0400
Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe
From: okenw...@covad.net
To: igbo_...@yahoogroups.com; WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com
CC: asa...@yahoogroups.com; Anambr...@yahoogroups.com; IgboE...@yahoogroups.com; wi...@googlegroups.com; idu...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [WIEF FORUM] RE: [IGBO_FORUM] ANAMBRA LAND & REST OF GROUND ZERO CONSUMED BY GULLY EROSION
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:27:27 -0400
Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D.
Ugo,
I have an expert in this field to flesh out the theme of your query. Udomah Ohiri is the engineer working in the environmental department of the Prince Georges’ County, Maryland, which is an eastern suburb of Washington, DC. He is responsible for the county’s waste water management and also oversees activities in one of the largest landfills in this part of Maryland state. Mr. Ohiri hails from Nkwere in Imo state and he has been an important technical adviser to WIEF since the foundation’s inception.
The WIEF expert has agreed to fully discuss how the county government, for which he works, functions as the first line of defense in prevention or mitigation of consequences of storm water erosion in our neck of the woods. He is a regular contributor to the WIEF Forum but I am not quite sure if he is subscribed to other wider Igbo forums.
You can reach him via his e-mail address ad...@yahoo.com or his cell phone (301) 906-0865. I am also forwarding this response by me to him to notify him about your interest as stated below.
Okenwa.
From:
igbo_...@yahoogroups.com [mailto:igbo_...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ugo
Anakwenze
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 5:41 PM
To: igbo_...@yahoogroups.com; WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com
Cc: asa...@yahoogroups.com; ANAMBRA FORUM; IGBO EVENTS; WIEF Forum; IDU
USA Forum
Subject: Re: [IGBO_FORUM] ANAMBRA LAND & REST OF GROUND ZERO
CONSUMED BY GULLY EROSION
Dr. Nwosu,
You wrote:
"To answer your question directly, the elected local government councils in Anambra state can play their rightful role of being the first to take on the crisis situations and related emergencies in their domain before the arrival of higher levels of governance at the state or national levels to assist if needs be. Is this not the logical way things are done in other parts of Nigeria and elsewhere?"
Can we see some examples, please?
Ugo Anakwenze
-----
Original Message ----
From: "Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D." <okenw...@covad.net>
To: igbo_...@yahoogroups.com; WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com
Cc: asa...@yahoogroups.com; ANAMBRA FORUM <Anambr...@yahoogroups.com>;
IGBO EVENTS <IgboE...@yahoogroups.com>; WIEF Forum
<wi...@googlegroups.com>; IDU USA Forum <idu...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 7:27:27 AM
Subject: RE: [IGBO_FORUM] ANAMBRA LAND & REST OF GROUND ZERO CONSUMED BY
GULLY EROSION
Chike,
Let’s not make it appear as if control of storm water generated by heavy downpours that characterize the climate of ground zero has now become a rocket science. Our ancestors have mastered the procedure for erosion control and mitigation for centuries apparently without the sort of “knowledge” and “clue” to which you allude. Yes, despite all our people’s ignorance, we have historically been capable of taking good care of our land until recent times when things have obviously fallen apart. Our people
The question here for all of us to answer truthfully is what comes first; expert knowledge and technical skills to address the problem at hand or the willpower and determination to make a start? As the saying goes, once there is will to face a challenge, there must be a way to overcome it. On the other hand, technical knowhow that lacks the will to make even a modest beginning is of use to no one when all is said and done.
The local government councils (County Councils) in the US, for example, are not populated with technical experts on storm water management, but this level of governance is at the forefront for regulating erosion control policies within their areas of jurisdiction. There are lots of other constitutional roles for LG Councils which are still denied to the people because there has not been elections to constituted them in Anambra state as required by the law.
To answer your question directly, the elected local government councils in Anambra state can play their rightful role of being the first to take on the crisis situations and related emergencies in their domain before the arrival of higher levels of governance at the state or national levels to assist if needs be. Is this not the logical way things are done in other parts of Nigeria and elsewhere?
Okenwa.
From: igbo_forum@yahoogro
ups.com [mailto:igbo_ forum@yahoogroup s.com] On Behalf Of Chike
Odunukwe
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 8:25 AM
To: WorldIgboCongress@ yahoogroups. com
Cc: asa-usa@yahoogroups .com; ANAMBRA FORUM; igbo_forum@yahoogro
ups.com; IGBO EVENTS; WIEF Forum; IDU USA Forum
Subject: [IGBO_FORUM] Re: [WorldIgboCongress] RE: ANAMBRA LAND &
REST OF GROUND ZERO CONSUMED BY GULLY EROSION
Okenwa:
They have neither the knowledge to do anything other than to intensify the problem, in a false attempt at tackling it. The engineers/contracto rs do not have a clue; how much more those without any training that will help them understand the problem, when explained to them. Making or electing one to the office of Local Government Chairman or counselor will not more knowledgeable that they were prior to their election.
__._,_.___
Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D.
“Our ancestors knew the dangers of tampering with storm water and left it alone. They did not master it, because they did not have a need to master it. I am not going to go into it because I have written on the issue more than twice. There are a lot of other things you can add to your list our ancestors mastered, such as waste disposal (solid waste and wastewater). We can now apply it and our waste problem will be solved. They had medical problems solved also; we need to go back to their time tested approach.” – Chike Odunukwe
Chike,
The solutions adopted by our ancestors in dealing with the dangers of unmanaged storm water connote proper understanding and mastery of the issue at stake. Even the very decision of leaving the landscape of their era relatively undisturbed demonstrates thorough knowledge about proper environmental husbandry which appears to elude our present generation. In health care as well as environmental management, prevention is better than cure. Our ancestors were keenly aware of this truism and it worked wonderfully for them.
Things started to fall apart in our era when we foolishly rejected everything in our past to pursue a new order which lacks proper linkage with the cumulative experiences of our predecessors. Our ancestors were very careful to avoid indiscriminate cutting of trees, for example, not because they lacked the capacity for felling them but simply because of ken awareness of consequences of stripping the land of the cover that protects and preserves it. Whatever knowledge we claim to have today regarding proper environmental husbandry at ground zero is apparently inferior to that of our great ancestors. There reality of our times backs up this viewpoint.
The methodologies and processes deployed by our ancestors were tailor-made for the lifestyle they led. They were, therefore, masters and connoisseurs in dealing with their living space in ways that we, in this generation, are currently incapable of. We definitely have a lot to learn from our ancestors’ wisdom by not foolishly and blindly engendering problems which we obviously lack the willpower and capacity to deal with. Dismissing the successful approach that worked well for our predecessors who have successfully managed the land they bequeathed to us is not called for any of us, irrespective of our claim to greater knowledge which we are incapable of utilizing to meet our challenges of the day.
Our ancestors were able to clean up their own mess which enabled them to maintain and conserve the land of their time. It is our challenge today to do whatever it takes to clean up after ourselves well enough to be able to conserve the real estate that our offspring shall inherit.
Okenwa.
From:
asa...@yahoogroups.com [mailto:asa...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Chike
Odunukwe
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 5:21 PM
To: IgboE...@yahoogroups.com
Cc: igbo_...@yahoogroups.com; WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com;
asa...@yahoogroups.com; ANAMBRA FORUM; WIEF Forum; IDU USA Forum
Subject: [asa-usa] Re: [IgboEvents:Live] RE: [IGBO_FORUM] ANAMBRA LAND
& REST OF GROUND ZERO CONSUMED BY GULLY EROSION
Okenwa:
I wish that it is indeed rocket science. If it were, the erosion problem would not have continued to grow as we speak. Everyone "understands" it; but half education, they say is dangerous and I may add that it is very deadly, if it is natural forces that one is dealing with.
Our ancestors knew the dangers of tampering with stormwater and left it alone. They did not master it, because they did not have a need to master it. I am not going to go into it because I have written on the issue more than twice. There are a lot of other things you can add to your list our ancestors mastered, such as waste disposal (solid waste and wastewater). We can now apply it and our waste problem will be solved. They had medical problems solved also; we need to go back to their time tested approach.
Chike
Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D.
Ugo,
The excerpt you referenced reads “……Is this not the logical way things are done in other parts of Nigeria and elsewhere?" Why don’t you start with the info that we have handy here. When you are done with the US example then, of course, we can shift to Nigeria. When you asked for examples, you never specified Nigeria, even if you meant so.
If you agree that local governments are essential as first line of defense in the US, you should also admit that the same should be wished for Nigeria; after all our constitutional arrangement is a carbon copy of the American standard.
Okenwa.
From: igbo_...@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:igbo_...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ugo Anakwenze
Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:56 PM
To: asa...@yahoogroups.com; igbo_...@yahoogroups.com; Udomah C. Ohiri
Subject: Re: [asa-usa] RE: [IGBO_FORUM] ANAMBRA LAND & REST OF
GROUND ZERO CONSUMED BY GULLY EROSION
Ogbuebunu, ekene m gi,
You claimed that what you are asking for is already taking place in Nigeria. Therefore, I am asking for those places in Nigeria were the local governments are currently functioning as you described. We all reside in America and we understand the permiting procedures of the city governments and the county governments.
Daalu.
Ugo Anakwenze
-----
Original Message ----
From: "Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D." <okenw...@covad.net>
To: igbo_...@yahoogroups.com; WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com; Udomah C.
Ohiri <ad...@yahoo.com>
Cc: asa...@yahoogroups.com; ANAMBRA FORUM <Anambr...@yahoogroups.com>;
IGBO EVENTS <IgboE...@yahoogroups.com>; WIEF Forum
<wi...@googlegroups.com>; IDU USA Forum <idu...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2008 7:13:57 AM
Subject: [asa-usa] RE: [IGBO_FORUM] ANAMBRA LAND & REST OF GROUND ZERO
CONSUMED BY GULLY EROSION
Ugo,
I have an expert in this field to flesh out the theme of your query. Udomah Ohiri is the engineer working in the environmental department of the Prince Georges’ County, Maryland, which is an eastern suburb of Washington, DC. He is responsible for the county’s waste water management and also oversees activities in one of the largest landfills in this part of Maryland state. Mr. Ohiri hails from Nkwere in Imo state and he has been an important technical adviser to WIEF since the foundation’s inception.
The WIEF expert has agreed to fully discuss how the county government, for which he works, functions as the first line of defense in prevention or mitigation of consequences of storm water erosion in our neck of the woods. He is a regular contributor to the WIEF Forum but I am not quite sure if he is subscribed to other wider Igbo forums.
You can reach him via his e-mail address adcxx@yahoo. com or his cell phone (301) 906-0865. I am also forwarding this response by me to him to notify him about your interest as stated below.
Okenwa.
From: igbo_forum@yahoogro
ups.com [mailto:igbo_ forum@yahoogroup s.com] On Behalf Of Ugo Anakwenze
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 5:41 PM
To: igbo_forum@yahoogro ups.com; WorldIgboCongress@ yahoogroups. com
Cc: asa-usa@yahoogroups .com; ANAMBRA FORUM; IGBO EVENTS; WIEF Forum;
IDU USA Forum
Subject: Re: [IGBO_FORUM] ANAMBRA LAND & REST OF GROUND ZERO
CONSUMED BY GULLY EROSION
Dr. Nwosu,
You wrote:
"To answer your question directly, the elected local government councils in Anambra state can play their rightful role of being the first to take on the crisis situations and related emergencies in their domain before the arrival of higher levels of governance at the state or national levels to assist if needs be. Is this not the logical way things are done in other parts of Nigeria and elsewhere?"
Can we see some examples, please?
Ugo Anakwenze
----- Original
Message ----
From: "Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D." <okenwanwosu@ covad.net>
To: igbo_forum@yahoogro ups.com; WorldIgboCongress@ yahoogroups. com
Cc: asa-usa@yahoogroups .com; ANAMBRA FORUM <AnambraForum@ yahoogroups.
com>; IGBO EVENTS <IgboEvents@yahoogro ups.com>; WIEF Forum
<wief@googlegroups. com>; IDU USA Forum <idu-usa@googlegroup s.com>
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 7:27:27 AM
Subject: RE: [IGBO_FORUM] ANAMBRA LAND & REST OF GROUND ZERO CONSUMED BY GULLY EROSION
Chike,
Let’s not make it appear as if control of storm water generated by heavy downpours that characterize the climate of ground zero has now become a rocket science. Our ancestors have mastered the procedure for erosion control and mitigation for centuries apparently without the sort of “knowledge” and “clue” to which you allude. Yes, despite all our people’s ignorance, we have historically been capable of taking good care of our land until recent times when things have obviously fallen apart. Our people
The question here for all of us to answer truthfully is what comes first; expert knowledge and technical skills to address the problem at hand or the willpower and determination to make a start? As the saying goes, once there is will to face a challenge, there must be a way to overcome it. On the other hand, technical knowhow that lacks the will to make even a modest beginning is of use to no one when all is said and done.
The local government councils (County Councils) in the US, for example, are not populated with technical experts on storm water management, but this level of governance is at the forefront for regulating erosion control policies within their areas of jurisdiction. There are lots of other constitutional roles for LG Councils which are still denied to the people because there has not been elections to constituted them in Anambra state as required by the law.
To answer your question directly, the elected local government councils in Anambra state can play their rightful role of being the first to take on the crisis situations and related emergencies in their domain before the arrival of higher levels of governance at the state or national levels to assist if needs be. Is this not the logical way things are done in other parts of Nigeria and elsewhere?
Okenwa.
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 8:25 AM
To: WorldIgboCongress@ yahoogroups. com
Cc: asa-usa@yahoogroups .com; ANAMBRA FORUM; igbo_forum@yahoogro
ups.com; IGBO EVENTS; WIEF Forum; IDU USA Forum
Subject: [IGBO_FORUM] Re: [WorldIgboCongress] RE: ANAMBRA LAND &
REST OF GROUND ZERO CONSUMED BY GULLY EROSION
Okenwa:
They have neither the knowledge to do anything other than to intensify the problem, in a false attempt at tackling it. The engineers/contracto rs do not have a clue; how much more those without any training that will help them understand the problem, when explained to them. Making or electing one to the office of Local Government Chairman or counselor will not more knowledgeable that they were prior to their election.
What are they going to be doing in that their line of defense that would address the issues of uncontrolled stormwater? That type of attempts have in the past created big erosion gullies overnight.
Chike C Odunukwe
On Fri, Sep 12, 2008 at 6:51 AM, Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D. <okenwanwosu@ covad.net> wrote:
Chike,
Elected local government councils can begin to function as the first line of defense in addressing issues of uncontrolled storm water erosion which result in formation of gullies that devastate "sections of Nnewichi in Nnewi, Ojoto, Ideani, Alor and Oraukwu" and many more other localities in Anambra state.
The local government councils can be effective in this defense by deploying whatever is at their disposal, including mobilizing the support of local communities within their jurisdictions to begin to do something within their immediate neighborhoods.
Okenwa.
From: WorldIgboCongress@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:WorldIgboCongress@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Chike Odunukwe
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 12:59 AM
Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D.
“I am in full agreement with you on the concept that local governments, ie. city and county governments, are at the forefront of erosion control in societies were laws are passed and enforced by the relevant agencies. Efficient local governments will go a long way in helping to bring standards of behavior and construction practices to the development of our land. I am familiar with the permitting process of several municipal governments. ……………………
Your call for the proper establishment of Nigeria's third tier of government is a great and honorable demand. I wish to add my voice to that call.” – Ugo Anakwenze
Ugo,
Thanks for adding your voice to the call for immediate restoration of an elected third tier of government in Anambra state. What is hard to comprehend thus far is why there is unnecessary foot-dragging by those concerned in doing the right and rational thing which can go a long way to streamline governance at the grassroots level. Furthermore, why must Anambra belong to the few states in Nigeria which are deprived of functional elected local government councils as provided for by the country’s constitution? This poser is begging for an answer by both the executive and legislative arms of government based in Awka. Since there is unanimous agreement about the need to immediately rectify this anomalous situation in Anambra, the public wishes to know, sooner than later, who is/are responsible for resisting the conduct of local government council elections in the state. This unjustified delay is a slap in the face and an insult to the sensibilities of Ndi Anambra to which you and I belong. Don’t you think so?
I still don’t really understand why some still don’t appreciate the nexus between worsening living conditions at the grassroots level in Anambra and lack of properly constituted governance at the local government level. Local governance gives the people a sense of belonging which is currently missing in many parts of the state. Whether the local governments are loaded with the wherewithal to deliver on every need is hardly the issue. We know that even the state and federal government don’t have all it would take to meet all the people’s expectations, but no one is pressing for their abrogation. It is quite easy for rational minds to suspect that something fishy is amiss but those who are in positions to know are simply not telling the rest of us. Inquisitive minds would like to have this question answered; why is there no elected local government council election in Anambra state since 2003?
As I had stated elsewhere on a related discourse, WIEF’s operational model throughout ground zero is predicated on grassroots empowerment as the means to achieve public ownership of our collective living space. Lack of local government councils impedes the foundation’s agenda in Anambra state, as we speak. As of this morning, for example, nothing has been done to arrest the new erosion gully developing at the RCC’s abandoned site at the Uke junction despite the firm pledge from the governor’s office several weeks ago that work to correct that eyesore was imminent. As things stand at the moment, there is no government functionary in the area to see to it that another gully at this vital road junction is prevented from becoming another monstrosity. Everyone is waiting for the governor’s office in Awka because that’s where all the powers to do anything for each resident of Anambra are concentrated and nowhere else. If the governor’s office fails to deliver on its pledge, as is the case at the Uke junction gully erosion site, then bad luck for whoever is at receiving end of the stick.
Ugo, the Uke junction disaster surely goes a long way to buttress the need for a properly constituted governance at local government level as a first line of defense in combating the worsening of storm-water and gully erosion in Anambra state. Need I say more?
Okenwa.
From:
asa...@yahoogroups.com [mailto:asa...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ugo
Anakwenze
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 12:45 AM
To: asa...@yahoogroups.com; igbo_...@yahoogroups.com; Udomah C. Ohiri
Cc: WIEF FORUM; IGBO EVENTS; WORLD IGBO CONGRESS
Subject: Re: [asa-usa] RE: [IGBO_FORUM] ANAMBRA LAND & REST OF
GROUND ZERO CONSUMED BY GULLY EROSION
Ogbuebunu,
We therefore agree that there are no such examples in Nigeria. Thanks.
I am in full agreement with you on the concept that local governments, ie. city and county governments, are at the forefront of erosion control in societies were laws are passed and enforced by the relevant agencies. Efficient local governments will go a long way in helping to bring standards of behavior and construction practices to the development of our land. I am familiar with the permitting process of several municipal governments. Other levels of government contribute significantly to erosion control in countries were rules exist and relevant agencies use proper engineering standards to organize the development of the communities. The fact is that the local governments lack the resources to develop the correct engineering regulations that can manage their own communities. They depend on standards the are researched, developed and practiced at the State, Federal and sometimes, International levels for the correct standards that should work in their communities.
Nigeria's erosion problems have little or nothing to do with the establishment of local governments. We have an extensive history of (so called) elected local government officers in Nigeria, yet the erosion crisis has continued to grow from one rainy season to the next. The entire country has failed in so many areas, but the development of proper engineering standards is probably in the top ten list in terms of the country's worst performances. In a country were the Federal government builds roads that actually become the main sources of erosion, without the tools to understand what the fundamental requirements of elementary co-existentence with the natural environment, our local governments will drift along and simply enhance the failures of the State and Federal institutions.
The source of erosion in our towns are mostly far away from the local governments. Gully erosion will continue until we are able to develop the tools that can stop feeding the monsters in the gully. It requires State laws, Federal laws and yes, local laws to make the basic rules work. It requires the correct maps to understand the origin of the runoff, why it is going into a particular area, what the velocity, behavior and character of this flood is supposed to be. Without this data, any local government, elected or appointed, is still unable to pass any meaningful (engineering wise) regulations for erosion control in their area. Until the governments (at all levels) start designing public facilities, roads, buildings, water ways, etc, with mandatory engineering data that is required to maintain a balance with nature, erosion will continue to get worse in Nigeria.
Your call for the proper establishment of Nigeria's third tier of government is a great and honorable demand. I wish to add my voice to that call. Mixing that call with the issue of erosion control rather belittles the serious issues of good governance in our homeland. We must establish an organ that can conduct elections in Nigeria without killing innocent citizens in an attempt to stop them from voting. That, in my humble opinion, is still the biggest blockade to any meaningful establishment of the tenets of the Nigerian constitution and the advancement of organized developments in the land. Erosion control and management in our homeland is currently bigger than any local government as currently constituted in Nigeria. Our State governments must get seriously engaged in erosion control with the legislators putting in place the relevant laws, the executive carrying the purpose of these laws and the law enforcement agencies going out to the communities and doing their job.
I thank you for your commitment to this issue and please keep pushing us until we get it right.
Ugo Anakwenze
-----
Original Message ----
From: "Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D." <okenw...@covad.net>
To: igbo_...@yahoogroups.com; asa...@yahoogroups.com; Udomah C. Ohiri
<ad...@yahoo.com>
Cc: WIEF FORUM <wi...@googlegroups.com>; IGBO EVENTS
<IgboE...@yahoogroups.com>; WORLD IGBO CONGRESS <WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2008 11:35:01 AM
Subject: RE: [asa-usa] RE: [IGBO_FORUM] ANAMBRA LAND & REST OF GROUND ZERO
CONSUMED BY GULLY EROSION
Ugo,
The excerpt you referenced reads “……Is this not the logical way things are done in other parts of Nigeria and elsewhere?" Why don’t you start with the info that we have handy here. When you are done with the US example then, of course, we can shift to Nigeria. When you asked for examples, you never specified Nigeria, even if you meant so.
If you agree that local governments are essential as first line of defense in the US, you should also admit that the same should be wished for Nigeria; after all our constitutional arrangement is a carbon copy of the American standard.
Okenwa.
nenn...@gmail.com
Firstly, section 7(1) states, "the system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is under this constitution guaranteed; and accordingly, the government of every state shall subject to section 8 of this constitution, ensure their existence under a law which provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of such councils."
When you read further down the section, it clearly defines other aspects of councils and the laws guiding them.
Also, the fourth schedule of the same constitution gives specific functions to the local government councils and states the areas where they can partner with the state government.
I'm worried about the future of our fledgling democracy. I still maintain that the best thing that can happen to Anambra is the institutionalisation of democracy and not the personalisation.
Let me allow our people to assimilate this before I go ahead.
Ejiofor Egwuatu
Rep. Onitsha North 1.
ANHA, Awka.
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN
From: "Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D." <okenw...@covad.net>
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:00:22 -0400
To: <asa...@yahoogroups.com>; <igbo_...@yahoogroups.com>; 'Udomah C. Ohiri'<ad...@yahoo.com>
CC: 'WIEF FORUM'<wi...@googlegroups.com>; 'IGBO EVENTS'<IgboE...@yahoogroups.com>; 'WORLD IGBO CONGRESS'<WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com>; IDU USA Forum<idu...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [WIEF FORUM] RE: [IGBO_FORUM] ANAMBRA LAND & REST OF GROUND ZERO CONSUMED BY GULLY EROSION
Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D.
“Governor Peter Obi's offer to use the famous OPTION A-4 ( or whatever Prof. Humphrey Nwosu's formula was called) is still out there languishing in the vaults of dead legislative submittals that are yet to be attended to by the Anambra House of Assembly. It is time for all of us to join together and demand that this PDP infected HOA must move forward with this urgent need of providing the instrumentalities for the conduct of elections in Anambra State. We need to bring the new spirit of good governance that the current administration is spreading all over the state as close as possible to the grassroots.” - Ugo Anakwenze
Ugo,
This is my first time of hearing, from a credible source, that the incumbent Anambra governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has developed and proffered a substantive proposal regarding the ways and means of conducting local government elections in the state. If this your disclosure is true, then I am further amazed that the state chief executive has never made any public mention of it either by himself or his many able PR assistants in the print and electronic media. If, in fact, the House of Assembly is responsible for foot-dragging in ensuring that Anambra citizens are given of their constitutional right to partake in choosing their local government leaders, the governor and his party ought to be screaming murder to high heavens rather than just continue with business as usual.
With your new revelation, I am of the view that we now need to hear more not less of all issues that pertain to the reluctance to conduct the much-deserved local council election in Anambra state. From the much I know on issues like this, I have reasons to hold both the executive and legislative arms of the government equally culpable for denying grassroots governance to Ndi Anambra for reasons that the majority of stakeholders don’t fully understand. If the legislative arm is responsible, as you opine, then public pressure must be brought to bear on the Anambra State House of Assembly to amend its erratic ways and to perform their duty immediately on behalf of those who they represent. Same thing shall apply should the executive arm be the instigator.
One thing is certain; Ndi Anambra have had enough of this shameful situation where the grassroots population continue to be subject to taxation without representation in a democracy. This arrangement has run its course and shall no longer be tolerated by those who bear the brunt of hardship brought about by a lack of governance where it matters most.
Okenwa.
From: asa...@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:asa...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ugo Anakwenze
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 12:40 PM
To: igbo_...@yahoogroups.com; asa...@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [asa-usa] Re: [IGBO_FORUM] ANAMBRA LAND & REST OF GROUND
ZERO CONSUMED BY GULLY EROSION
Ogbuebunu
Your return to the core issue of our disagreement at the beginning of this discussion is very interesting. There is no state in Nigeria that operates a functional local government. No state conducted a credible election for local government and they all conduct their affairs through the offices of the state governments in the various capitals. That is still at the core of this fundamental problem. Nigeria is yet to conduct an election for local government in any part of the country because they do not have the basic instruments to conduct an election.
I am in full support of conducting local government elections in any State, especially Anambra State. Therefore, I wish to call on the INEC to provide the required facilities that will enable Anambra State to conduct an election.
Governor Peter Obi's offer to use the famous OPTION A-4 ( or whatever Prof. Humphrey Nwosu's formula was called) is still out there languishing in the vaults of dead legislative submittals that are yet to be attended to by the Anambra House of Assembly. It is time for all of us to join together and demand that this PDP infected HOA must move forward with this urgent need of providing the instrumentalities for the conduct of elections in Anambra State. We need to bring the new spirit of good governance that the current administration is spreading all over the state as close as possible to the grassroots.
My brother, I thank you for leading this call.
Ugo Anakwenze
_._,___