Erosion menace: Imo Assembly urges for urgent intervention at Umuchima community, others in Ideato South LGA

The Imo State House of Assembly has urged Governor Hope Uzodimma for immediate and urgent actions to be taken towards tackling the ‘devastating’ gully erosion menace at Umuchima community, and other parts of Ideato South Local Government Area of the state, to avoid the entire community going into extinction.
The members also called on the governor for a letter to be written to NEMA, FERMA, and the Federal Ministry of Works to include the said road among roads that needs emergency attention in the first quarter of this year, 2024.
As part of the prayer of the motion, the member who moved the motion, Rt. Hon. Johnson Duru, during the House Plenary on Tuesday, beckoned on the members to collectively pay a solidarity visit to the erosion site, commiserate with the community and reassure them of the government’s intentions towards addressing the issue in no distant time.
The motion was cosponsored by seven other legislators from Ideato North; Hon. Okechukwu Udeze, Oru West; Rt. Hon. Dominic Ezerioha, Chief Whip; Rt. Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri, Deputy Speaker; Rt. Hon. Chyna Iwuanyanwu, Orsu; Rt. Hon. Francis Agabige, and Nkwerre; Hon. Chisom Ojukwu.
Presenting the motion, Rt. Hon. Johnson Duru stated, “Umuchima community in Ideato South Local Government Area, has been under devastating and dreaded erosion caused by a drastic ravaging ecological disaster.
“Close to 80% of that community and some other parts of ldeato South L.G.A. are on the verge of going into extinction, as a significant portion of the area collapses below the earth surface on a daily basis.
“The extent of the gully erosion devastation is so strong that lives and properties, including living organisms, in Umuchima community and environs are on the verge of extinction if imnediate and urgent steps are not taken.
“As we speak, the gully erosion has decimated residential houses, shops, and the well-known Nkwo Umuchima market is almost eroded.
“Presently, the depth of the gully created as a result of the ecological menace is over 100ft deep spanning a distance of almost two (2) kilometers. This erosion span from the popular Urashi River bridge (which is no longer in existence), to other parts of ldeato South LGA, but it is more annihilating in Umuchima Community.
“Farm lands have been completely washed away, including graves and tombs of the dead. It is sad to note that the house of a former Chief Judge of the High Court, who is an indigene of the community, was dismantled by the qully erosion.
“The gully erosion has greatly affected the economic activities between Imo State and Anambra State as the road is a major link route to Anambra State via Orlu-Umuchima- Akokwa down to Uga in Anambra State.
“So there is need for urgent intervention as the people are already feeling abondoned. The Member representing Imo West at the Federal House, Senator Osita Izunaso has also presented the motion before the House.
Speaking in favor of the motion was members representing Ideato North; Hon. Okechukwu Udeze, Ezinihitte; Hon. Henry Agbasonu, Nkwerre; Hon. Chisom Ojukwu, Ikeduru; Hon. Iheoha Johnleoba, among others.
They commiserated with the people, and reiterated the need for immediate step to be taken to ease the sufferings of the people.
Speaking against, the Owerri Municipal member, and Deputy Minority leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Clinton Amadi said, “In as much as we sympathize with the people, there is need for the billions of naira appropriated towards tackling the gully erosion from 2011-2019 to be accounted for before we can talk about making another appropriation.”
After the contributions by the members, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chyna Iwuanyanwu, who presided over the House, as the Speaker, put the motion to vote, and the Ayes had it.