151
By Tracy Moses
The House of Representatives on Thursday declared Ideato North and South Federal Constituency in Imo State a gully erosion and road infrastructure disaster zone, calling for immediate intervention by relevant federal agencies to halt further devastation and safeguard lives and livelihoods in the affected communities.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu, the lawmaker representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency, during plenary.
In his motion titled “Call for Intervention to Address the Gully Erosion and Road Disaster in Ideato North/South Federal Constituency,” Ugochinyere raised the alarm over the worsening environmental and infrastructural crisis currently affecting more than 32 communities in the area.
Quoting Section 14 (2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states that the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of the people, the lawmaker lamented the failure of authorities to act decisively despite the rapidly deteriorating conditions.
He revealed that communities such as Umueshi, Amanator, Urualla, Isiekenesi, Isiokpo, Umuaghobe, Ozuomee, Obodoukwu, Arondizuogu, Akokwa, Umumaisiaku, Umuobom, and others have been severely impacted. According to him, lives, farmlands, homes, and vital infrastructure have been lost, while the Umueshi–Amanator–Isiekenesi road and the Urualla erosion sites 1, 2, and 3 have become ticking time bombs, posing imminent threats to human safety.
“Alarmed that the erosion and road infrastructure collapse have worsened, destroying homes and farmlands, and causing the total collapse of the Umueshi, Amanator–Isiekenesi road, particularly the Urualla gigantic erosion sites, this disaster now threatens to submerge the heart of Urualla, Afor Urualla, and other surrounding communities,” Ugochinyere warned.
He further highlighted Ideato’s historical importance as the birthplace of national figures such as Mbaonu Ojike, K.O. Mbadiwe, Elochukwu Njaka, Collins Obi, Ferdinand Anaghara, and Maduakor, stressing the need to preserve the region’s heritage and secure its future.
While commending the Federal Government’s earlier intervention at the Umuchima gully erosion site, now being managed by the Imo State Government, he cautioned that continued inaction would lead to greater loss of lives and property.
In response, the House unanimously adopted the motion and urged the Federal Government to take decisive measures to address the erosion crisis and collapsing road infrastructure. Lawmakers called on relevant agencies, including the Federal Ministries of Works and Environment, the Ecological Fund Office, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the South East Development Commission (SEDC), to initiate immediate intervention projects across the affected communities.
They also tasked the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, as well as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to provide relief materials to residents displaced by the disaster.
Furthermore, the House directed its Committees on Works, Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Environment, Ecological Fund, NDDC, and SEDC to monitor compliance with the resolution and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.