Imo community seeks urgent help over erosion

The people of Urualla clan in Ideato Council have pleaded with the Imo State Government to urgently address the perennial life-threatening erosion in their area.

During a visit yesterday to Speaker of the House of Assembly, Paul Emeziem, in Owerri, they stated that their community was facing extinction.

The member representing Ideato North in the legislature, Innocent Arthur Egwim, President General of the clan, Prof. Samuel Ezeanyika as well as lawmakers Ethelbert Ibeawuchi and Emeka Ekwunna, who led the delegation, said the harm inflicted on the settlement by the natural disaster had negatively affected the socio-economic lives of their people.

According to Ibeawuchi, “nobody in Urualla today has peace of mind or sleeps at night when there is heavy rain. Most of our businesses and means of livelihood have crumbled because erosion has wiped out our homes, markets and other places of great importance to our existence.”

He continued: “All and save us. If nothing is done as quickly as possible, we shall be counting losses of human lives and economic damages in the next few days since the raining season is about to commence.

“Honestly, we don’t think there would be anything like Urualla clan, which is made up of eight communities, if the coming raining season meets us like this. We will be completely wiped out by the rampaging erosion.”

In his remarks Ekwunna said: “This project has lingered for over 10 years. And we have made concerted efforts to tackle it. We have interfaced with the state Ministry of Environment and other relevant agencies over this matter. And up till now, every attempt was abandoned half way for one reason or the other.

“So, we want the state government to order the contractors handling the project to return to site with immediate effect. This will be in the best interest of our people and the state government.”

Responding, the Speaker reassured the people of the government’s commitment towards the general well-being of the citizens.

He also pledged that the House would prioritise their plight and explore possible means to speedily tackle the menace.

Emeziem said: “In the past one year, if you have observed, our governor has done so well to restore people’s confidence in governance of the state.

“I can assure you that the governor understands and feels the pulse and plight of your people. And he will surely do something about this problem.

“So, I want to promise you that as quickly as we move out of here, I am going to make necessary efforts to see how the situation can be salvaged.”