The House of Representatives has called for urgent intervention by the Federal and Imo State governments to tackle devastating gully erosion, flooding and collapsing road infrastructure threatening more than 32 communities in Ideato North and Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State.

The House adopted a motion sponsored by the member representing the constituency, Ikenga Ugochinyere, seeking emergency erosion-control measures, rehabilitation of damaged roads and restoration of critical transport links disrupted by the worsening environmental crisis.

Ugochinyere warned that the situation posed a grave threat to lives, property and livelihoods, as expanding gullies and washed-out roads had reportedly caused fatalities, displaced residents and cut off communities from healthcare facilities, schools, markets and other essential services.

Among the infrastructure identified as being at risk are the Umueshi-Amanator-Isiekenesi-Dikenafai-Okwelle bypass, which has suffered severe damage, and the Umuobom Bridge, which is threatened with collapse.

Other affected routes include the Ntueke-Umueshi and Arondizuogu road links, which serve as important transport connections between communities in Ideato, Okigwe Federal Constituency and parts of Abia State.

Communities identified in the motion as affected by the erosion and infrastructure crisis include Urualla, Ozuomee-Urualla, Obodoukwu, Umumejiaku-Obodoukwu, Osina, Akokwa, Akpulu Isiokpo, Ejezie, Arondizuogu, Umuobom, Umueshi, Amanator, Isiekenesi, Umuaghobe, Umumaisiaku, Okohia and Umuchima.

Moving the motion, Ugochinyere expressed concern that the gullies continued to expand with every rainy season, increasing the danger to residential areas, roads and other public infrastructure.

He warned that further delays in addressing the crisis could result in additional loss of lives, destruction of property, displacement of residents and prolonged disruption of economic activities across the affected communities.

The lawmaker recalled that the House had, on November 1, 2023, urged the Federal Government to treat Ideato North and Ideato South as a constituency threatened by erosion disasters.

He further noted that on June 26, 2025, the House unanimously declared the constituency an erosion and road disaster zone and directed relevant ministries, departments and agencies to commence urgent remedial works and provide relief to displaced persons.

However, the continued deterioration of roads and erosion sites has raised concerns about the implementation of previous resolutions and the need for sustained government intervention.

The motion also acknowledged the Federal Government’s previous intervention at the Umuchima gully erosion site, which has since been taken over by the Imo State Government.

Ugochinyere stressed that the experience underscored the importance of timely intervention and sustained commitment to tackling erosion, particularly in communities facing recurring environmental threats.

Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Ecological Fund Office, the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Federal Ministry of Works to collaborate with the Imo State Government and the Ideato North and Ideato South Local Government Councils to commence emergency erosion-control and drainage works at identified locations.

The House specifically prioritised Urualla erosion sites one, two and three, as well as Ozuomee, Obodoukwu, Isiokpo and Umueshi, among other affected areas.

It also urged the Federal Government to resume and complete the abandoned Urualla erosion-control project, either through renewed engagement with the World Bank or direct federal funding.

The call reflects concerns over the continued expansion of erosion sites and the potential consequences for surrounding communities, public infrastructure and regional connectivity.

On road rehabilitation, the House urged the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the Federal Ministry of Works to undertake urgent repairs on the Umueshi-Amanator-Isiekenesi-Dikenafai-Okwelle bypass, the Osina-Obodoukwu road and the Umuobom Bridge.

It also called for the restoration of road links disrupted by erosion at Ntueke-Umueshi and Arondizuogu to improve access and ease movement between affected communities.

The lawmakers further urged the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to include the Ideato erosion sites among its priority intervention projects, citing the scale of the environmental emergency and its implications for regional development.

Ugochinyere called on the relevant government institutions to translate the House’s resolution into concrete action, insisting that the safety of residents, protection of property and restoration of vital infrastructure required urgent attention.

He advocated lasting engineering solutions that would address the underlying causes of erosion, improve drainage systems and prevent further destruction of communities and roads.

The lawmaker maintained that emergency repairs must be accompanied by a coordinated and sustained response involving erosion control, drainage construction, road rehabilitation and the completion of abandoned projects.

He said the people of Ideato deserved safe roads, protection from environmental disasters and effective government intervention to safeguard their lives and livelihoods.