By Mercy Aikoye
The House of Representatives has called for urgent intervention by the Federal and Imo State Governments to prevent further loss of lives and destruction of infrastructure caused by gully erosion, flooding and collapsing roads in Ideato North and Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State.
The resolution followed a motion moved by the lawmaker representing the constituency on Thursday, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, who warned that more than 32 communities were grappling with an escalating environmental crisis that had disrupted transportation, threatened homes and restricted access to essential services.
The House urged relevant government agencies to commence emergency erosion-control, drainage and road rehabilitation projects across affected communities to prevent further deterioration, particularly as expanding gullies continue to threaten major roads and vital public infrastructure.
Among the areas identified for urgent intervention are Urualla, Ozuomee-Urualla, Obodoukwu, Umumejiaku-Obodoukwu, Osina, Akokwa, Akpulu Isiokpo, Ejezie, Arondizuogu, Umuobom, Umueshi, Amanator, Isiekenesi, Umuaghobe, Umumaisiaku, Okohia and Umuchima.
Of particular concern is the collapse and sinking of the Umueshi-Amanator-Isiekenesi-Dikenafai-Okwelle bypass, alongside the threat to Umuobom Bridge and the destruction of road links at Ntueke-Umueshi and Arondizuogu.
The affected routes serve as important connections between communities in Ideato, Okigwe Federal Constituency and parts of Abia State, raising concerns about the potential isolation of residents and disruption of commercial activities.
Moving the motion, Ugochinyere said the worsening situation posed serious dangers to residents, motorists and pedestrians, as expanding gullies and washed-out roads had reportedly resulted in fatalities, displaced families and cut off communities from healthcare facilities, schools, markets and other essential services.
The lawmaker recalled that the House had, on November 1, 2023, called on the Federal Government to recognise Ideato North and Ideato South as a constituency threatened by erosion disasters.
He added that on June 26, 2025, the House unanimously declared the constituency an erosion and road disaster zone, directing relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to commence urgent remedial works and provide relief to displaced residents.
Despite the previous resolutions, Ugochinyere expressed concern that the erosion sites continued to expand with each rainy season, warning that prolonged delays in implementing remedial measures could result in further destruction of property, loss of lives and economic hardship.
As part of the latest resolution, the House urged the Ecological Fund Office, the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Federal Ministry of Works to collaborate with the Imo State Government and the two affected local government councils to commence emergency interventions.
The proposed works are expected to prioritise erosion sites in Urualla, particularly sites one, two and three, as well as Ozuomee, Obodoukwu, Isiokpo and Umueshi.
The House also called for the resumption and completion of the abandoned Urualla erosion-control project, either through renewed engagement with the World Bank or direct funding by the Federal Government.
On road infrastructure, the lawmakers urged the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency and the Federal Ministry of Works to rehabilitate the damaged Umueshi-Amanator-Isiekenesi-Dikenafai-Okwelle bypass, the Osina-Obodoukwu road and Umuobom Bridge, while restoring road links disrupted by erosion at Ntueke-Umueshi and Arondizuogu.
The South East Development Commission was equally urged to include the affected erosion sites in its priority intervention projects, given the threat they pose to regional connectivity, economic activities and community development.
The House further acknowledged the Federal Government’s previous intervention at the Umuchima gully erosion site, which has since been taken over by the Imo State Government, stressing the need for sustained commitment to ensure that ongoing and future interventions deliver lasting results.
Ugochinyere urged the relevant authorities to move beyond resolutions and commence concrete action, insisting that the safety of residents and the protection of critical infrastructure in Ideato North and Ideato South required coordinated and sustained government intervention.
