“Our Homes Are Next”: Gully Erosion Puts Gombe Community on the Brink

Residents of Kumo, the headquarters of Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State, have raised the alarm over the worsening gully erosion that is threatening homes, farmlands and roads across the community.

The situation is reportedly becoming more serious in Zadawa, Jauro Musa, Nasarawo and Waziri Malle, where residents say the expanding gullies are destroying portions of farmland and gradually moving closer to residential areas.

Some houses have already been affected, while several others are reportedly at risk of collapse if urgent action is not taken.

Community development advocate Bello Barambu has called on the Gombe State Government, Akko Local Government Council and relevant federal agencies to urgently intervene before the erosion causes further damage.

Barambu urged authorities to deploy environmental and engineering experts to assess the extent of the destruction and recommend permanent solutions. He called for the construction and rehabilitation of drainage channels, as well as other measures to control the rapid expansion of the gullies.

He also appealed to the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to collaborate on relief and intervention efforts for affected residents.

“This is not just a complaint; it is a cry for help. We need intervention now before the situation turns into a major disaster,” Barambu said.

Residents have also appealed to lawmakers representing the area, development organisations and other stakeholders to support efforts to safeguard lives, homes and livelihoods.

With the erosion continuing to spread, residents fear that without immediate intervention, more homes, farmlands and roads could be lost.