The people of Amazi, Umunakanu Ama, in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, have taken to the streets to protest against sand excavation in their community in a bid to prevent environmental degradation.
The borrow pit, from which sand is being excavated by a contractor from a neighbouring community reportedly linked to the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma, poses a major environmental threat to Amazi, lamented Engr. Uche Okafor, a member of the community.
The protesters explained that, for the past two weeks, they have made spirited efforts to reach out to the Chairman of Ehime Mbano Local Government, Hon Francis Nwodu, by sending a delegation.
The aim of the delegation, led by the village chairman and the President General of the Umunakanu Ancient Kingdom, was to explain the dangers the excavation poses to their roads, farmlands, and houses, as well as the pervasive insecurity in the area.
However, all efforts to secure a favourable intervention have remained futile.
Consequently, the general congress of the people of Amazi, both at home and abroad, undertook the peaceful protest to draw the attention of relevant authorities and people of goodwill to their plight and to seek urgent intervention.
Speaking, a prominent member of the community, Nze Lucius Nnorom, lamented that the people of Amazi are facing a double jeopardy, as the community already suffers from a lack of infrastructure, including access roads, water, and electricity, compared to surrounding areas.
He noted: “We have reached out to the Local Government Chairman to put a stop to this, and up till today (Tuesday, May 6, 2025), nothing has been done. We are using this opportunity to call the attention of the Imo State Government, led by Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, to look into our plight and intervene in time.
“The peace-loving community of Amazi has been invaded, intimidated, and its people pushed to the wall.
“However, we have remained peaceful in the face of all these tribulations and deliberate efforts to compromise the peace we are known for, thereby instigating a crisis in our community.
“All the communities bordering us have asphalt roads and electricity. The tarred road actually ends at the entrance to our community,”; he added.
Nnorom, therefore, called on Governor Uzodimma not only to stop further excavation and undertake remedial actions to mitigate the dangers of erosion and landslides in Amazi, but also to provide basic infrastructure such as access roads, water, and electricity for the area.
