A massive gully erosion measuring above 10 metres is currently threatening the existence of N8 billion worth of structures at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko in Orumba Local Government Area of Anambra State.

In a press statement made available to journalists in Awka, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr. Obini Onuchukwu, said that the erosion is an extension of the Agulu/Nanka erosion site that has rocked the area for a long time.

He said it had become imperative for the federal and state governments as well as cooperate bodies and well meaning individuals to intervene in order to save the structures from collapse.

Onuchukwu observed that the extension site of the institution where majority of its edifices are located with particular reference to its multi-billion naira virtual library has come under threat.

He reeled out other edifices under threat to include the Fine and Applied Art Building, Public Administration Building, Food Tech building, PTDF building, the 1,500 capacity auditorium and office blocks among others.

While regretting the speed at which the erosion is expanding, the PRO expressed fears that if nothing was done urgently, it will be a total disaster as the cost of controlling the menace is beyond what the institution can handle alone.

According to the statement, “The institution had earlier written to the Ministry of Environment on the issue with graphic explanation and also designed drawing of the proposed ecological control but nothing has been done.

“Prof. Godwin Onu, a man who is synonymous with development started over 23 gigantic structures since 2010 and since then has completed over 13 of them while others are at different levels of completion.

“It will be disheartening and heart breaking if all these sacrifices are allowed to be swept away by erosion. There is absolute need for all and sundry to come to the aid of the institution to salvage it.”

The PRO further added that the institution has already sunk most of its internally generated revenue in battling and controlling natural disaster as well as rebuilding the collapsed perimeter fence with catchment pits to break flood speed within the institution.

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