The House of Representatives has declared Ideato North and South Federal Constituency in Imo State an erosion and road disaster zone, urging the Federal Government and relevant agencies to take swift action to prevent further loss of lives and property.
The resolution was reached following a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Rep. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), during plenary on Thursday.
Rep. Ugochinyere highlighted the dire condition of over 32 communities, including Umueshi, Amanator, Urualla, Isiekenesi, Isiokpo, Obodoukwu, Arondizuogu, and Akokwa, which are currently plagued by severe gully erosion and collapsing road infrastructure.
He warned that the erosion has already claimed homes, farmland, and vital infrastructure, posing serious risks to residents’ lives, livelihoods, and access to education and healthcare.
“The Urualla gully erosion sites 1, 2, and 3 are on the verge of sinking the heart of Urualla and other surrounding communities,” Ugochinyere said.
The lawmaker recalled the heritage and national significance of the Ideato region, home to historical Nigerian figures such as Mbaonu Ojike and K.O. Mbadiwe, stressing the urgent need to preserve the area from ecological collapse.
In its resolutions, the House called on the Federal Ministries of Works and Environment, the Ecological Fund Office, FERMA, the NDDC, and the South-East Development Commission to immediately commence remediation and reconstruction of key sites, including the Umueshi-Amanator-Isiekenesi road and Urualla erosion sites.
Additionally, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were urged to provide relief materials to displaced victims of the erosion crisis.
The House also mandated its joint Committees on Works, Environment, Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, NDDC, and SEDC to oversee compliance and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
