More than 10 houses have been destroyed by severe gully erosion in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, leaving scores of residents displaced and raising fears of further devastation as the rainy season intensifies.

In response to the worsening ecological disaster, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, on Wednesday led officials of the Ecological Project Office on an emergency assessment of the affected communities in Uzuakoli and Ozuitem.

The delegation, led by the Director of Soil and Erosion Flood Control, B’aba Bomoi, inspected the extent of the destruction as residents lamented that the expanding gullies have continued to consume homes, roads and farmlands on a weekly basis.

Among the properties threatened by the advancing erosion is the residence of the Special Assistant on State Affairs in the Office of the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Ikenna Ariwodo.

Describing the situation as “a matter of urgent public importance,” Kalu appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Ecological Project Office to urgently intervene, saying the scale of the disaster has exceeded the capacity of the Abia State Government.

Speaking during the inspection in Uzuakoli, Kalu recalled that he had submitted a request to the Ecological Project Office through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation about three years ago when the erosion was still at an early stage.

According to him, the gully has now stretched between four and five kilometres, making the earlier estimate for remediation grossly inadequate.

“I came here about two or three years ago and it was not this massive. When I made the application to the Ecological Funds Office, the scale of destruction was far smaller than what we are seeing today.

“To be honest, the amount I requested then is now only a fraction of what will be required. We need a fresh assessment and a comprehensive intervention that will provide a lasting solution,” he said.

Kalu commended the Ecological Project Office for responding promptly to his request, noting that the visit followed a recent meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the agency.

He stressed that the project requires direct federal intervention.
“This is beyond what a state government can handle. While the state can partner with the Federal Government, this is clearly a federal ecological project if we are to solve it permanently,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker recalled that a similar intervention was secured for Nkpa after he sponsored a motion in the House of Representatives on June 13, 2019, which eventually led to the construction of a bridge during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He expressed confidence that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would also approve a comprehensive erosion control project for Uzuakoli and Ozuitem, citing the President’s approval of the South East Development Commission and two federal tertiary institutions in Bende.

While inspecting other erosion sites in Ozuitem, Kalu lamented that the South-East remains the region most affected by ecological disasters in Nigeria and urged immediate action to prevent further displacement and destruction of livelihoods.

“We are counting on the Federal Government and Mr. President to see this as an urgent humanitarian and environmental challenge affecting our people,” he added.

Also speaking during the inspection, Director of Soil and Erosion Flood Control, B’aba Bomoi, described the situation as life-threatening.

“This erosion is not only threatening the environment and property but also lives. The gully has already encroached on farmlands, and without urgent intervention the damage will continue to spread,” he said.

The inspection followed recent protests by women from the affected communities, who staged a peaceful march to demand immediate government intervention.

The Ecological Project Office is expected to submit a comprehensive technical assessment report to guide the Federal Government’s response to the growing environmental crisis in the affected communities.