House Stresses Need To Implement Safety Measures Against  Erosion Menace 

Gloria Essien, Abuja 

 

 

 

 

The House of Representatives has stressed on the need to implement safety measures against gully erosion menace in NIgeria.

 

It also urged the Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Roads and Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and Ecological Fund Office to urgently fund the construction of a new route that will link affected communities in each State across Nigeria.

 

The House also urge National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to ensure the resettlement of displaced residents in affected areas and provide relief materials.

 

The resolutions were sequel to the adoption of a Motion on “Need to Implement Safety Measures against Gully Erosion Menace in Nigeria“, moved by Mr. Kolawole Davidson Akinlayo at plenary.

 

The motion further urged the Ecological Fund Office (EFO) and NEMA to jointly agree and engage relevant experts to implement measures, such as slope stabilization, gabion installations, terracing, re-vegetation, and construction of loses, and minimize the risks to nearby infrastructure, communities.

 

” The House Notes that Section 14(2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) provides that the security, safety, and welfare of the people of Nigeria shall be the primary purpose of government; Also notes that the ravaging effect of the coastal erosion across the country has posed a significant threat to the security and livelihoods of many communities, highlighting the urgent need for

government intervention and sustainable solutions to protect the citizens and their environment;

Aware that the preservation, restoration, and maintenance of the ecological environment in local

communities in Moba, Ilejemeje, and Ido-Osi Federal Constituency of Ekiti State is crucial for safe movement of goods and services;

Also aware that the erosion tragedy could lead to the collapse of the entire rural agricultural economy in vital food-producing regions;Concerned about the threat of gully erosion and its devastating consequences on the livelihoods and safety of the indigenous people and residents of the country. In addition, the problem of gully erosion has flooded a lot of structures, churches, farms, places of worship, schools, and football fields, and the roads are in a deplorable state; Also concerned that the issue of gully erosion poses a significant threat to the indigenous people of the communities, causing flooding of various structures, churches, farms, schools, and football fields further complicating the financial security of the people and displaced residents; Further concerned that if quick action is not taken to avert the disaster, the consequences of severe flooding at the height of the rainy season could spark a looming danger and ultimately result in the deaths of well-meaning Nigerians due to erosion. As a result, reclamation and shore protection

measures must be put in place to address the threat to communities that could otherwise disappear”. The motion said.

 

The House referred the motion to its Committee on Environment and mandated it to conduct tour of the affected communities to access the damages and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

 

 

 

Oyenike Oyeniyi