The Federal Ministry of Environment has promised that the erosion menace in Nekede Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo will soon be addressed.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Nana-Fatima Mede, made the pledge when she inspected the erosion site.

Mede said the Federal Government had channelled a lot of resources to control erosion in the area but stressed that the remaining aspect would be completed soon.

She directed Mr Ernest Mbie, the Zonal Controller of Environment in the Southeast, to liaise with the ministry in Abuja to come up with a comprehensive situation report on Nekede erosion for immediate action.

“The present situation of Nekede Road is not benefiting anyone.

“The whole road was devastated by gully erosion but the Federal Government had intervened and Imo Government has also promised to be of assistance.”

She said that plans were underway for the ministry and all its parastatal agencies to come up with “Water Harvest” plan to tackle the issue of flooding in all parts of the country.

The permanent secretary advised the people to ensure that they cleared their drains, saying that improper drainage could lead to flooding.

In his remark, Dr Lawrence Anukam, the Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), urged individuals, companies and industries to comply with the environmental rules and regulations.

Anukam said that proper compliance would lead to effective solid waste management and healthy living.

He said that the 2015 World Environment Day with the theme: “Healthy Environment: Our Collective Responsibility” was aimed at creating more awareness on the need for a cleaner environment.

The director-general said that it was also to educate the populace on the need for regular clean-up aside the monthly environmental exercise. (NAN)

•Photo shows gully erosion site.

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