The House of Representatives has called for urgent Federal Government intervention to address the worsening flooding and erosion crisis ravaging communities across Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, and presented during Tuesday’s plenary by Hon. Daniel Amos, who stood in for the Deputy Speaker, who presided over the session.
The House expressed concern over the increasing destruction caused by torrential rainfall and erosion in Ugwueke, Amaokai, Amaeze, Ezeukwu, Uzuakoli, Ozuitem, Ndi Uzor/Akanu and other communities in the constituency.
According to the lawmakers, the disaster has destroyed homes, farmlands, roads and other infrastructure, while displacing residents and threatening livelihoods and food security.
The situation, the House noted, has become particularly severe in Ugwueke, Amaokai, Amaeze and Ezeukwu, where floodwaters have submerged residential properties, farmlands and access routes.
Among the structures affected were the palaces of Eze Ifeanyi Owo of Amaeze Community and Eze Gilbert Chukwu of Amaokai Community.
The lawmakers also raised concern over the situation in Ndi Uzor and Akunu villages, where the ecological crisis has reportedly resulted in the death of two persons.
The House said the recurring nature and increasing severity of the flooding and erosion had demonstrated that the affected communities lacked the capacity to tackle the crisis without sustained government intervention.
Consequently, it urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), South East Development Commission (SEDC) and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to immediately provide relief materials, emergency shelters, potable water, food, medical supplies and other humanitarian assistance to affected residents.
It also called on the Ecological Fund Office, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment and relevant agencies, to conduct a comprehensive technical assessment of the erosion sites across the affected communities.
The House further urged the Federal Government to approve and fund comprehensive flood and erosion-control measures, including drainage systems, gully stabilisation, watershed management and rehabilitation of damaged channels.
The House also called on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to intervene in the agricultural losses suffered by farmers in Bende Federal Constituency, following the destruction of farmlands by flooding and erosion.
Similarly, the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) were urged to assess roads and access routes damaged by flooding and erosion and commence necessary rehabilitation.
The motion received the support of the majority of lawmakers when it was put to a voice vote. The House subsequently observed a minute of silence in honour of those who lost their lives, particularly the two victims from Ndi Uzor.
The matter was thereafter referred to the House Committees on NEMA, SEDC, NDDC, Ecological Fund Office and Legislative Compliance for further legislative action.
