NEWS
Abia State Assembly Moves Against Devastating Erosion, Summons NEWMAP Over Delayed Intervention
The Abia State House of Assembly has intensified efforts to tackle the worsening erosion crisis across parts of the state, following passionate appeals by lawmakers over the growing threat to lives, homes and critical infrastructure in their constituencies.
During plenary, the House considered two Matters of Urgent Public Importance highlighting the devastating impact of erosion in Ikwuano and Bende Local Government Areas.
Hon. Boniface Isienyi, representing Ikwuano State Constituency, drew the attention of the House to the severe erosion ravaging communities in Oboro, Ikwuano, warning that the situation could worsen significantly during the peak of the rainy season if immediate action is not taken. He urged the House to mandate the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) and the Abia State Ministry of Environment to urgently intervene and prevent further destruction in the affected communities.
Similarly, Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi, representing Bende South State Constituency, raised concerns over the alarming erosion at Amamba, Uzuakoli, in Bende Local Government Area. The lawmaker recalled that the issue had previously been presented before the 7th Assembly, with officials of NEWMAP visiting the site at the time, but lamented that no tangible intervention followed.
He disclosed that the advancing gully erosion has already swallowed several buildings and is now posing a serious threat to the entire Umueze Amamba Community in Uzuakoli. He therefore called on the House to direct the Ministry of Works to carry out immediate palliative measures at the site while urging the Abia State Government to expedite efforts with relevant federal agencies to secure a permanent solution to the environmental disaster.
Following deliberations, the House mandated its Committee on Environment to investigate both erosion cases and report back with recommendations.
The Assembly also resolved to invite the Project Coordinator of NEWMAP to appear before lawmakers for an interaction. The decision followed revelations by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie, that the Abia State Government had already paid the required counterpart funding to the agency to facilitate erosion control projects across the state.
In a related development, the joint House Committees on Environment and Works presented their report on the deplorable erosion sites affecting Obunta (Obukwu) and other autonomous communities in Ikwuano State Constituency.
The report, presented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Hon. Kalu Mba Nwoke, representing Ohafia South State Constituency, was subsequently committed to the Committee of the Whole for further legislative consideration and necessary action.