Residents of Iriamogu Village in Dindi-Ihiagwa Autonomous Community, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, are calling for urgent government intervention after alleging that dredging along the Otammiri River is accelerating erosion, destroying farmland and roads, and threatening nearby electricity infrastructure.
Community leaders say what started as river dredging has led to a receding bank, loss of land, damaged access roads, ruined farms and harm to properties. They are especially worried that the unstable riverbank is moving closer to power lines serving the area.
The concerns were highlighted during a fact-finding visit to the village on 22 August by journalists and members of a civil society group. Residents showed the team sections of the bank they said had already given way and warned that continued activity could worsen the situation.
Joseph Oforegbu, President-General of the Iriamogu Development Union, said anxiety is rising and frustration among young people could escalate if nothing is done. “We are appealing to the government to intervene now before the situation gets out of hand. The people are becoming increasingly worried, and we do not want frustration among the youth to degenerate into tension,” he said. He urged Governor Hope Uzodimma and relevant agencies to investigate and act before the damage becomes irreversible.
Deputy President-General Chukwunonyerem Mbawuike said the community had repeatedly tried to discuss the environmental impact with the operators without success. He said residents now plan to take their complaints directly to Government House in Owerri and other institutions. Mbawuike called for an independent assessment of the riverbank and surrounding infrastructure, plus a review of the environmental conditions attached to the dredging licence to confirm whether the work is being carried out within approved limits.
“We are not against legitimate business or development, but the activities must be carried out in a manner that does not destroy the environment or put the lives and property of residents at risk,” he said. He alleged that earlier restrictions imposed by the state ministry responsible for mining had failed to stop the operations permanently.
Youth leader Ugochukwu Aharamwa said the destruction of roads, farms and property has heightened fear that further erosion could eventually endanger the electricity network. He urged preventive action rather than waiting for major damage to public or private assets.
The residents insist they are not opposed to lawful economic activity. Their demand is for the work to be properly regulated so that the environment and critical infrastructure are protected.
Community leaders are pressing for a multi-agency inspection involving environmental, mining, land and electricity authorities. They want the assessment to establish the scale of any damage, check compliance with regulations, and identify steps needed to safeguard the village and its power infrastructure. They also called for dialogue between the operators, officials and community representatives to reach a lasting solution.
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