NEWS
Abia State Assembly Raises Alarm Over Worsening Emediku Ibeku Gully Erosion, Orders Immediate Government Intervention
The Abia State House of Assembly has expressed deep concern over the worsening gully erosion menace ravaging Emediku Ibeku in Umuahia East, directing relevant government agencies to urgently intervene before further destruction occurs.
The matter came up during plenary as the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Augustine Okezie, representing Umuahia East State Constituency, drew the attention of lawmakers to the alarming deterioration of the erosion site. Revisiting an earlier matter of urgent public importance previously presented before the House, the lawmaker noted that the environmental disaster had escalated to a critical stage, resulting in the loss of several buildings and posing a growing threat to lives and property within the affected community.
According to the Deputy Speaker, the continued expansion of the gully has left residents in fear, as more structures remain vulnerable to being swallowed by the advancing erosion if immediate remedial measures are not taken.
In response to the development, the House resolved to mandate the Ministry of Environment, the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), and other relevant government agencies to take swift action aimed at controlling the erosion and preventing further devastation in the area.
The lawmakers also directed the House Committee on Environment to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the affected site and submit its findings and recommendations to the House within one week to facilitate prompt legislative and executive action.
Meanwhile, the day’s plenary session also featured a special educational visit by students and staff of Wellspring Preparatory School, Ihe Ndume Ibeku, Umuahia, who were formally acknowledged by the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ihuoma Emeruwa.
The Speaker welcomed the visiting students and their teachers to the Assembly Complex, noting that their presence provided a valuable opportunity for young learners to gain firsthand knowledge of the legislative process and the workings of democratic governance in Abia State.
The Assembly’s swift response to the Emediku Ibeku erosion crisis underscores its commitment to addressing pressing environmental challenges and safeguarding communities threatened by natural disasters across the state.