Erosion In Bende: Abia Speaker Orders Ministry Of Environment, Others To Commence Work

Following a matter of urgent public importance on gully erosion raised on the floor of the Abia state House of Assembly on Tuesday, the speaker, Right Honourable Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, has ordered the state ministry of environment to liaise with other ecological agencies to commence both palliative and permanent works on gully erosion sites in Umunze Amauba, Uzuakoli, in Bende Local Government Area.

ALL FACTS NEWSPAPER had reported that landslide erosion has almost swallowed up properties and farmlands in that area with the most affected currently being the property of late Engineer Justice Okezie Ogbonnaya of Umunze Amamba community, Uzuakoli, in Bende Local Government Area of the State. READ HERE

During plenary on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, the member representing Bende South State Constituency, Honourable Emmanuel Ndubuisi requested that the House suspend Order 65; Rule 5 on their Order book to permit him bring to the House the issue of a ravaging gully erosion in his area.

The Speaker said because of the urgency of the matter and the troubling pictures circulating around, it was pertinent to take urgent steps to avert further loss of lives and properties.

In a motion moved by the Deputy Leader, Honourable Paul Taribo and seconded by the Minority Leader, Honourable Chijioke Chukwu, the House amended its Order Paper.

Tabling the matter, Honourable Ndubuisi lamented that erosion has cut off Umunze Amauba community from sister communities, destroyed economic crops and swallowed houses.

Honourable Ndubuisi said the rest of the community members live in fear and uncertainty once there is rainfall because of its negative effects on the people and the area. He informed the House that the people in the area have spent millions of Naira in their sole efforts to control the erosion but that due to its sprawling nature, the impact of their efforts usually comes to nought.

The lawmaker prayed;

a. That the House mandate the State Ministry of Environment to commence palliative works on the affected areas.

b. That the House also mandate the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) to address the erosion in Umunze Amauba, Uzuakoli, holistically.

The state House of Assembly led by Right Honourable Chinedum Orji, adopted all the prayers of Honourable Ndubuisi and charged the ministry of environment to immediately commence work on the affected site to avert further loss of lives and properties.