Phil Okose, Onitsha
The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Chief Victor Umeh, over the weekend called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately declare Idemili North and South Local Government Areas, Anambra State, an ‘erosion disaster zone’.
Umeh made the plea during an on-the-spot assessment of a devastating gully erosion site at Ugama, Obosi Community in Idemili North Local Government Area.
He said the erosion menace ravaging the entire Idemili zone requires urgent federal intervention.
His words, “Erosion menace in the whole Idemili North and South is something the Federal Government of Nigeria should take seriously. The zone is the most erosion-prone area, including Obosi, Nkpor, Ogidi, Umuoji as well as other Idemili communities.”
Umeh who disclosed that he was alerted to the ugly situation by Engr. Eric Anyamene, who is eyeing Federal House of Representatives for the Idemili North and South constituency under Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, had to rush to the site.
He said, “Government has tried in the past to do something concerning erosion in Obosi but it is becoming difficult. The whole soil is very loose. As long as it rains, it will continue to cause problems unless there is a conscious effort by the government to design the entire layout and do proper channelization of flood water directly into the river.”
Senator Umeh lamented that the magnitude of the disaster is beyond what the state government or individuals could handle, adding, “It is something far beyond State government. So, it is something the Federal Government should do using relevant international agencies to do it,” he said.
“When I go back to the Senate, and I would not wait until we resume. I will write a letter immediately to the Honourable Minister of Environment, and to Mr. President himself, and prepare a formal motion I will take on the floor of the Senate by the time we resume in September.”
Also speaking, Anyamene, whose house is under threat, revealed that the erosion occurred a few days ago and has escalated beyond community control.
According to him, “initially, we thought that the erosion could be managed by the community, but it has reached a stage government should assist.”
He hinted that residents had contributed millions of Naira for repairs, but it was not adequately done.
Anyamene commended Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo for sending the Commissioner for Works and Local Government Chairmen to the site, and praised Senator Umeh for his prompt response.
In his own contribution, the engineer handling the palliative work, Mezie Andrew, said the temporary work would take 2-3 weeks to deliver, but noted “the magnitude of the erosion menace is beyond what one person could do.”
The representative of the Traditional Ruler of Obosi, Igwe Chidubem Iweka III, Dr. Okey Mgbemena, and the representative of Principal of Union Secondary School, Obosi, Mrs. Okoro Chidima, also appealed for urgent government intervention, noting the erosion has affected the school entrance and residents.
Affected residents including Chiemerie Mbakaogu, Sunday Egbuna, and Gabriel Orakpo pleaded with both state and federal government to come to their rescue.
Senator Umeh praised Anyamene for commencing palliative work to temporarily save the situation while awaiting federal action.
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