By Anayo Okoli Umuahia

ISIALA-ISUAMAWU people in Amaba community of Isuikwuato LGA, Abia State have sent a save our soul [SOS] message to the state government over massive sand and stone excavation going on in the community.

According to the residents, no less than 15 houses are presently under severe threat and could cave in into the gully created by the excavation in the community unless urgent action is taken by the government.

Ironically, the excavation was being engineered by some indigenes of the community who hire people allegedly from Ebonyi State to do the excavation while they sold the sand and stones to end users, which include contractors and house builders.

Sunday Vanguard  learnt that past efforts by the leadership of the community to stop the excavation had not worked as those behind the business had always threatened to deal with any person who stood on the way of their illegal but lucrative business.

Meanwhile, no kobo from the exacavation goes to the state or local government.

The Federal Government owned Okigwe-Uturu-Isiukwuato-Bende-Arochukwu road passing through the community is also under threat. Already, some portion of the road in the area where the excavation is going on is about to be cut off.

When contacted, the Transition Committee Chairman of Isiukwuato Council, Chief Enyinnaya Nwosu, confirmed the fear of the community and condemned the activities of the excavators. According to Nwosu, the deputy governor of the state, Chief Emeka Ananaba, visited the area last week and directed that the excavation be halted.