VOA标准英语2009年-Erosion Wreaks Havoc in Southeastern Niger

By Gilbert da Costa
Abuja
31 October 2009

 
Massive environmental degradation¹ has been the subject of heightened concern across southeast Nigeria as the region continues to be plagued by an erosion crisis that has grown worse over the years.

Driving around southeast Nigeria, examples of soil erosion at its worst are a common sight. Deep gullies, washed away homes, bridges and roads are hard to ignore. Anambra is easily the worst affected² state in the region. The state's environment commissioner³ Michael Egbebike speaks to VOA.

"The nature of the soil we have in the state, climatic conditions make Anambra one of the worst hit areas when it comes to erosion," he said. "It is on record that we have more than 1,000 erosion sites in the state, more than 500 are active. I should call this a major disaster in Anambra state, and that is what we are dealing⁴ with here."

Residents say the 50-year-old problem has grown worse because the authorities failed to make repairs when their attention was drawn⁵ to it at the onset⁶. Several other factors have combined to amplify⁷ the severity of the erosion. According to Environment Commissioner Egbebike, local residents have also contributed to the problem.

"Some of the problem of erosion is created by our people, by our attitude to waste disposal," he said. "When we dump garbage in the drains that are built by government we simply aggravate⁸ the problem of erosion. And this waste combined with the force of the flood and trying to erode⁹ the soil and sometimes they actually block the channel that has been created for flood dispersion and the floods come back and actually destroy their homes, and at that point they call on government."

Idiani, a small community in Anambra state, has seen enormous damage to its homes, crops and infrastructure¹⁰. The villagers also risk being swept to their death by flood water during the rainy season. Village head Harrison Okoye describes the devastating¹¹ effects of gully erosion.

"My village Town Hall built with a huge sum of money has been swallowed," he said. "And a lot of economic trees gone. The Anglican Church is on the verge¹² of going. One man from Egboku after going to wedding, seeing the volume of water, he stopped his car to see the depth so that he will know how to pass. As soon as he stepped down, he was swept off to the stream down there and that was the end of the man."

Environmentalists warn once it takes hold, it becomes a losing battle to reverse landslides¹³ and degradation. In neighboring Abatete residents, including Efobi Okeke, are not giving up on their homes and community.

"Usually you cannot fold your arms and get your house being carried away into the gullies," he said. "So people are making efforts on their own but the situation is such that individuals cannot handle alone."

A recent geological study of the environmental degradation in Anambra reported it will cost about $2 billion to address the gully erosion problem in the area. Environment Commissioner Ebgebike says funding is critical and appeals for international help to deal with the situation.

"We have a shortage of resources," he said. "The state is struggling because the monies spent on this erosion problem are huge sums of money. So we will of course need a lot of help from the international community and the federal government. Alone it would be a Herculean task for Anambra state."

In the meantime, Abatete and Idiani residents, like others across the southeast, are clinging to the last of their homes, even as erosion continues its unstoppable conquest across the region.

1 degradation   

n.降级；低落；退化；陵削；降解；衰变

参考例句：

• There are serious problems of land degradation in some arid zones.在一些干旱地带存在严重的土地退化问题。
• Gambling is always coupled with degradation.赌博总是与堕落相联系。

2 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

3 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

4 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

5 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

6 onset   

n.进攻，袭击，开始，突然开始

参考例句：

• The drug must be taken from the onset of the infection.这种药必须在感染的最初期就开始服用。
• Our troops withstood the onset of the enemy.我们的部队抵挡住了敌人的进攻。

7 amplify   

vt.放大，增强；详述，详加解说

参考例句：

• The new manager wants to amplify the company.新经理想要扩大公司。
• Please amplify your remarks by giving us some examples.请举例详述你的话。

8 aggravate   

vt.加重(剧)，使恶化；激怒，使恼火

参考例句：

• Threats will only aggravate her.恐吓只能激怒她。
• He would only aggravate the injury by rubbing it.他揉擦伤口只会使伤势加重。

9 erode   

v.侵蚀，腐蚀，使...减少、减弱或消失

参考例句：

• Once exposed,soil is quickly eroded by wind and rain.一旦暴露在外，土壤很快就会被风雨侵蚀。
• Competition in the financial marketplace has eroded profits.金融市场的竞争降低了利润。

10 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

11 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

12 verge   

n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临

参考例句：

• The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
• She was on the verge of bursting into tears.她快要哭出来了。

13 landslides   

山崩( landslide的名词复数 )； （山坡、悬崖等的）崩塌； 滑坡； （竞选中）一方选票占压倒性多数

参考例句：

• Landslides have cut off many villages in remote areas. 滑坡使边远地区的许多村庄与外界隔绝。
• The storm caused landslides and flooding in Savona. 风暴致使萨沃纳发生塌方和洪灾。