The House of Representatives has declared Ideato North and South Federal Constituency in Imo State an erosion and road disaster zone, urging immediate intervention by federal agencies to avert further devastation.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, representing Ideato North/South, who raised alarm over the worsening erosion and road infrastructure collapse affecting over 32 communities in the constituency.

Presenting the motion at Thursday?s plenary, Ugochinyere cited Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which places the protection of lives and property as the primary duty of government. He warned that communities such as Umueshi, Amanator, Isiekenesi, Urualla, Isiokpo, Obodoukwu, Arondizuogu, and Akokwa are facing threats to lives, homes, and critical infrastructure due to gully erosion and road collapse.

?Alarmed that the gully erosion and road collapse has worsened, destroying homes and farmlands, and cutting off access to health, education, and trade,? he said, ?the Umueshi-Amanator-Isiekenesi road and the Urualla erosion sites 1, 2, and 3 are on the verge of sinking key areas including Afor Urualla.?

He also referenced the historical significance of the region, home to notable national figures such as Mbaonu Ojike, K.O. Mbadiwe, and Collins Obi, stressing the urgency of protecting their ancestral land.

While commending the previous intervention at the Umuchima erosion site, now managed by the Imo State Government, Ugochinyere warned that continued neglect could result in more losses.

The motion was adopted unanimously.

The House urged the Federal Government to formally declare Ideato a disaster zone and directed the Federal Ministries of Works and Environment, FERMA, the Ecological Fund Office, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to undertake urgent remedial and reconstruction works across affected communities.

The lawmakers also called on the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials for displaced persons.

Relevant committees were mandated to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks. (The Guardian)

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