Senate raises alarm over erosion menace in Edo, Anambra…

The Senate, on Tuesday, raised the alarm over the devastating havoc wrecked by erosion in Edo and Anambra States respectively.

Two senators in separate motions called for urgent interventions by the Federal Government to address the issues and save the lives of people in the affected areas.

Senator Monday Okpebholo, who represents Edo Central senatorial district, in his motion titled: “Urgent Need for erosion control in Edo Central Senatorial District to save lives and properties”, said the flooding menace had put many communities under threat of erosion devastation, resulting in massive gully erosions, flooding and road devastations.

He said: “The Okene-Auchi-Benin expressway, a major road infrastructure in Nigeria began to fail at the Ekpoma axis owing to several gully erosions.

“The Ewu-Uromi-Agbor Road corridor has also experienced similar fate in Uromi axis. Nigerians in Irrua, Ekpoma, Uromi, Ewu and other communities have fled their homes or got their access roads damaged owing to the erosion problems.

“We urge the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to collaborate and carry out emergency works on Ekpoma (Uhiele, Ujoelen, Ukpenu, Borehole Road & Emuhi), Irrua (Uwesan and Ikekato), Ewu (Eguare and Uzogholo), Uromi (Efandion, Eguare and Uzegwa), Udo and Illushi.”

On his part, Victor Umeh, who represents Anambra Central Senatorial District, in his motion, titled: “Urgent Need to Control the Erosion Ravaging Onitsha-Oba Section of the Onitsha-Owerri Federal Highway in Anambra State,” warned of severe consequences if the issues are not addressed.

He said: “We note with dismay the devastating effects of ravaging gully erosion and landslide on Onitsha-Owerri Federal Road, between Electrical Parts Market and Metallurgical Training Institute, Obosi (Idemili North L.G.A) and Oba Junction near Rojenny Games Village in Idemili South L.G.A – along Onitsha-Owerri Federal Highway, all within Anambra Central Senatorial District of Anambra State.

“The erosion and landslide are creating traffic gridlock along the sections of the Onitsha-Owerri Highway.

“If the menace of gully erosion and landslide is not urgently controlled, those sections of the road will completely cave in, thus leading to total disconnection of the highway with attendant severe consequences and cutting off of vehicular movement to Imo, Abia, Akwa lbom, Rivers and Cross River States.

“Onitsha-Owerri federal highway is a gateway to business activities and other relationships between the Western States and South East and South-South States. The magnitude of the menace is beyond the control of the State Government.

“We urge the Federal Government to direct the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to commence repairs and re-construction of the affected parts of the Onitsha~Owerri Federal road particularly, the sections between Upper Iweka Round about in Onitsha and Onitsha-Owerri in Idemili South L.G.A. of Anambra State which span about 6 Kilometers.