The House of Representatives has called for urgent intervention to address worsening flooding and erosion in Ugwueke, Amaokai, Amaeze, Ezeukwu and other communities in Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the Deputy Speaker and member representing Bende Federal Constituency, Mr Benjamin Kalu, during plenary.
Presenting the motion on behalf of Kalu, who presided over the session, Mr Daniel Amos said Bende Federal Constituency was facing a severe ecological crisis characterised by gully erosion, flooding and destruction of homes, farmlands, roads and other critical infrastructure.
He said the crisis had gone beyond environmental degradation to threaten livelihoods, food security and the safety of residents.
Amos said the situation was particularly alarming in Ugwueke, Amaokai, Amaeze and Ezeukwu, where torrential rainfall had caused flooding that submerged homes, farmlands and roads, while the scale of erosion continued to worsen.
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The House also expressed concern over the situation in Ndi Uzor and Akunu villages, where environmental challenges had resulted in the deaths of two people in Ndi Uzor.
The motion stated that flooding had devastated several communities, submerging homes, including the palaces of Eze Ifeanyi Owo of Amaeze Community and Eze Gilbert Chukwu of Amaokai Community.
It added that the flooding destroyed farmlands and displaced residents, with the scale of the crisis exceeding the capacity of affected communities.
“The recent devastating flooding across communities in Bende, particularly Ugwueke, Amaokai, Amaeze and Ezeukwu, following torrential rainfall, which submerged homes and other properties, including the palaces of Eze Ifeanyi Owo of Amaeze Community and Eze Gilbert Chukwu of Amaokai Community, destroyed farmlands and access routes, displaced residents and resulted in the loss of lives.
“The recurrence and increasing severity of such flooding alongside the area’s expanding erosion crisis demonstrate the urgent need for a coordinated response to Bende’s growing ecological vulnerability.
“The scale of the challenges which has surpassed the capacity of affected communities and requires sustained federal intervention, including emergency relief, technical assessment, erosion control, flood management, restoration of damaged infrastructure and measures to protect livelihoods”, the motion stated.
Adopting the motion which got overwhelming support of the majority of the members when put to voice vote, the House commiserated with the families of persons who lost their lives in the recent flooding, particularly the two deceased in Ndi Uzor, and observed a minute silence for the deceased.
The House urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the South East Development Commission (SEDC) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to immediately deploy relief materials, emergency shelter, potable water, food, medical supplies and other humanitarian assistance to affected families.
It also urged the Ecological Fund Office, in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Environment and other relevant agencies, to undertake an immediate and comprehensive technical assessment of the erosion in Ugwueke, Amaokai, Amaeze, Ezeukwu, Uzuakoli, Ozuitem, Ndi Uzor/Akanu and other severely affected communities.
The House called on the Nigerian Government to urgently approve and fund comprehensive erosion and flood-control works, including drainage systems, gully stabilisation, watershed management and channel rehabilitation.
It further urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to assess losses suffered by farmers and consider recovery and livelihood support.
The house urged the Federal Ministry of Works and FERMA to assess and restore roads and access routes rendered impassable by erosion and flooding.
The motion was referred to House Committees on NEMA, SEDC, NDDC, the Ecological Fund Office and Legislative Compliance by the Deputy Speaker for further action.
