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The Environmental Defenders Network (EDEN) has called on the Edo State Government, the Ministry of Environment and the State Emergency management team to aid the people of Ekeke-Erah community in Owan East LGA, Edo State, following a devastating dam collapse that led to destruction of their environment.
EDEN received a Save-Our-Souls from a member of the community about a dam failure near the Agric Settlement in Esan West LGA on January 22, 2025. The failure of the dam caused severe flooding in Ekeke-Erah, destroying key bridges, including the First and Second Oghidekpe Bridges, Osemihien River Bridge, and Ovbieda River Bridge, cutting off access to the community.
Speaking to EDEN Media team, President of the Owan General Assembly of Nigeria (OGAN), Fred Enaikhe Aleburu, revealed that farmlands were submerged, leading to major agricultural losses, while the contamination of the Oghidekpe River left residents without clean drinking water. He further revealed that after some media reports following the incident, the Edo State Emergency Management Agency visited the community and left without providing any form of relief or succour for the people.
“In response, the community staged a peaceful protest, demanding urgent government intervention. Following the protest, officials, including Hon. Aruna Mohammed and Hon. Barr. Eric Okaka, pledged to rebuild the damaged bridges and install boreholes for clean water. Meanwhile, Edo State Emergency Management Agency (EDOSEMA) assessed the situation and promised to escalate the matter to the governor.
“To address immediate needs, a philanthropist, Amb. Barr. Joseph Eriki, donated ₦1 million, leading to the distribution of 20,000 bags of clean water. However, as 16 days have passed since the disaster, the community anxiously awaits tangible action, including infrastructure repairs, medical aid, and agricultural support, to restore their lives and prevent future crises.”
The Village Head of Ekeke-Erah, Chief Yakubu Kadiri, lamented the suffering of the people, explaining that the failed dam and resultant pollution of the river brought about water crisis, and disruption of transportation to buy or sell in the other communities.
“The most urgent issue is that we have not had safe drinking water for the past four days, and those who consumed the contaminated water are now in the hospital. Before this, we relied on the Oghidekpe River for drinking water. As the community leader, I sent youths to investigate the cause of the problem, and they discovered that a dam had been built at the river’s source. The blockage caused the dam to burst, leading to the flooding and water contamination. We confirmed that this is a government-owned project.”
Executive Director of EDEN, Chima Williams, berated the Edo State Government for a slow response to the plight of the people despite their pleas for help, insisting that the rights and livelihood of the common people have been greatly affected in the communities, with many cut off from water and road access.
He urged the state government to quickly provide portable drinking water for the people, to fix the destroyed bridges and compensate the community for their lost farm produce and properties.
He also called for a medical team to be deployed to the community, to check and treat the people against any diseases that may have been caused by the fallen dams.
