The member representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency in Imo State, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, has called on the Federal Government to urgently address a worsening gully erosion crisis affecting several communities in his constituency.
He described the situation as one that has severely impacted infrastructure, farmlands, and livelihoods, and has also led to the loss of lives.
Ugochinyere made the appeal on Friday during a live press conference in his hometown, where he acknowledged ongoing efforts to tackle erosion in the area but stressed that some locations now require immediate intervention.
“Let me thank the federal government for coming to our rescue, when we raised alarm on the erosion in various towns in Ideato. The President and the Federal Executive Council unanimously approved N25 billion for erosion control and work started, before the state government wrote that they want to take over and complete it,” he said.
He also commended the Imo State Government for continuing the project. “I also want to thank the state government for keeping to their commitment to complete the project. We’ve seen work that’s ongoing and we hope it will be completed in due time,” he added.
Despite these efforts, Ugochinyere noted that other erosion sites have worsened.
“But there’s another devastating erosion problem that’s about to cut Ideato out from civilisation. We have the Umuechi, Urualla gully erosion that has gone out of control. It’s about to carry both St. Jude Catholic Church and the king’s palace and other federal infrastructure there,” he said.
He further stated that the erosion has extended to farmlands in Obodoukwu due to the abandonment of a World Bank-assisted project.
“It’s so devastating that farmlands have been cut up to Obodoukwu because of the abandonment of the World Bank project. The World Bank invested up to N9 billion but because of the greed of the state government then, they pulled away and our people are dying,” he said.
Appealing directly to federal authorities, Ugochinyere said, “So let me appeal to the federal government, the Minister of Works and Environment, please find a way to intervene and save our people. Put an end to erosion menace.”
