The recent landslide at Ehi Village, bordering Okapa, Lufa, and Henganofi districts of Eastern Highlands Province, has caused significant disruptions to the economic activities and daily lives of the residents in the area.
The landslide has blocked a major road that serves as an economic hub for Okapa District, cutting off essential services for the bulk of the population. Despite the urgency of the situation, the authorities have been slow to respond, leaving the residents stranded and in need of immediate assistance.
The former principal of Tarabo Lutheran High School, Mr. Johnboy Rakfa has raised a grave concern of the situation and calls on the authorities responsible for immediate action to clear the blockage.
He emphasized that the road affected by the landslide is a crucial link for the economic activities of Okapa District, connecting the residents to markets, healthcare facilities, and other essential services. The closure of the road has disrupted the flow of goods and services, leading to shortages and price hikes in the area, adding that the economic impact of the landslide is significant, affecting the livelihoods of thousands of residents who rely on the road for their daily needs.
“The landslide has cut off essential services for the bulk of the population in Okapa District, leaving them without access to healthcare, education, and other basic amenities. The residents are facing hardships due to the lack of transportation and communication, with many unable to travel to nearby towns for medical treatment or to sell their produce. The situation is dire, and immediate action is needed to clear the landslide and restore normalcy to the area,” Mr. Johnboy said.
He added that despite the urgency of the situation, the authorities have been slow to respond to the landslide at Ehi Village. The residents have been waiting for weeks for the relevant agencies to clear the road and restore access to the affected areas. The delay in response has only exacerbated the hardships faced by the residents, who are growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of action from the authorities.
“In light of the urgent situation at Ehi Village, we call upon the office of the Governor, MP for Okapa, MP for Henganofi, and MP for Lufa District to intervene and expedite the clearance of the landslide.
“The road serves more than 100,000 residents in the area, and their well-being is at stake. It’s important that the authorities take immediate action to negotiate with the Ehi communities and clear the landslide to ease the road problems and restore normalcy to the affected areas.”