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Urgent action is sought by Hon. Nnamdi Ibekwe, the Abia State House of Assembly member representing Bende North state constituency, as he appeals for the declaration of a state of emergency to address the devastating erosion menace.
During a media briefing in Umuahia, the lawmaker passionately called for a state of emergency to be declared. Noting that the devastating impact of the recent erosion occurrence in Umuenyere, Alayi Community, Bende Local Government Area, has left a significant number of locals without homes.
In his remarks, the lawmaker explained the magnitude of the recent incident, which resulted in the unfortunate loss of five homes and the destruction of valuable farmlands and crops worth millions of Naira.
‘Many people now live as refugees in their ancestral community,’ the lawmaker complained.
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According to Hon. Ibekwe, the constituency faces a staggering number of over 100 active erosion sites, with approximately 20 of them posing a significant existential threat to the local population.
The epicentres of the erosion menace, as identified by Hon. Ibekwe, are Umuenyere Alayi, Oluibina Igbere, Ezi Igbere, Amekpu Item, and Okafia. These areas scream the urgent need for addressing the issue in the state.
‘Over five houses have been destroyed, farmlands the crops seriously affected; many people can no longer farm because their farmlands have been seriously ravaged,’ he further stated.
‘It’s an emergency situation because when people can no longer access their homes built with their life savings, it’s a disaster.’
Highlighting the urgent need for assistance, Hon. Ibekwe appealed to both the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and its state counterpart to act decisively and deliver relief materials to the affected constituents, providing essential relief to counter the adverse effects of the disaster.
Hon. Ibekwe shared the proactive measures he has taken to alleviate the victims’ sufferings but stressed the urgent need for the state and federal governments to join forces and provide their much-needed intervention to address the crisis effectively.
