Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the representative for Ideato North and South in the House of Representatives, has raised urgent concerns regarding the escalating gully erosion crisis affecting several communities in his constituency. During a press conference in his hometown of Akokwa, he appealed to the Federal Government for immediate intervention to prevent further loss of lives and property.
Ugochinyere highlighted the severe environmental degradation impacting livelihoods, infrastructure, and community safety in areas like Urualla, Amanato, and Obodoukwu. He acknowledged the federal and state government’s past efforts, including the approval of N25 billion for erosion control, but emphasized that new erosion sites have emerged, posing significant threats to entire communities.
The lawmaker specifically pointed to the devastating effects in Umuechi and Urualla, where critical landmarks such as the St. Jude Catholic Church and the king’s palace are at risk. He criticized the abandonment of a World Bank project that had invested N9 billion, blaming local government greed for the project’s halt.
Ugochinyere urged the Federal Government and the Ministers of Works and Environment to take swift action to address the crisis, stating, “Please find a way to intervene and save our people. Put an end to this erosion menace.”
