The Nation Newspaper

Tag: erosion

  • ‘We’ve projected IIBC beyond coastal erosion’

    ‘We’ve projected IIBC beyond coastal erosion’

    Land reclamation is on the rise, especially in coastal cities. But the threat posed by climate change, coastal development is a source of concern to stakeholders in the environment sector. ChannelDrill Resources Limited Managing Director Mr. Olufemi Akioye, whose firm has commenced the reclamation of 200 hectares on the Lekki Lagoon for the development of Imperial International Business City, allays fears of safety of development on land reclaimed from the lagoon. Akioye spoke with select journalists in Lagos. MUYIWA LUCAS was there.

    Weather events of the past few weeks, such as flooding, hurricane and earthquakes, have been frightening and there are concerns, especially for coastal developments. What do you say to this?
    Those fears are not that of coastal developers alone, but a global problem that is our reality. Bringing it back, home developers must spend money on research because investments in bricks and mortal is long-term and people behind these investments want to give it as an inheritance to their children. So, what sort of developer will we be if in 10 years our developments start having serious problems and investors start taking us to court? Unfortunately, the major reasons for the floods we have experienced recently is more of man-made than that of a natural occurrence and we have refused to take responsibility for that. By man-made I mean the way we block our drainage and canals with dirt. At Chaneldrill, we have no fear for our coastal development because we have spent a lot of time, energy and money to engage one of the best marine consultants in the world and we know what is going to happen in our coastal lines in the next 75 years. Our developments are designed to make sure that they are not affected by these unavoidable future occurrence. It’s a mazing that when we stared people said we were doing little; now they have seen what is coming.
    No doubt that climate change is real. How much precaution are you taking in your new city development?
    Climate change is more than people think. It is also not a European, Asia or an American problem; it is global. The lagoon water level will rise by almost two metres in the next 15-20 years. This is the reality and the government can’t stop it because it is due to the thermal expansion caused by warming of the ocean, since water expands as it warms and increased melting of land-based ice, such as glaciers and ice sheets. Do you know that the Lagos State government actually commissioned an Associate Professor from Hydraulics Research Institute, Egypt Ahmed Sayed Mohamed Ahmed to do a hydrodynamic modelling of Lagos and Lekki lagoons? This means that even the state is taking steps to make sure Lagos is way ahead of it and they have shown that they are taking this global threat seriously; an example of that is the new Freedom Road in Lekki that was just finished, and you can see that it is well above all the developments around it. So, we, as developers of the Imperial International Business City (IIBC), have taking the best precaution that can be taken based on the recommendation of our marine consultants, Messer Royal HaskoningDHV of Holland and they are one of the best the in world. They have recommended that because of the inescapable global sea level rise that will continue to rise Imperial International Business City (IIBC) must be reclaimed at 3.5metres above sea level and that is what we are doing. So, after a life-time settlement of the reclamation IIBC will still stand at about 2.9 above sea level. Therefore, investors and future land owners of IIBC can be rest assured that their investment is safe. We call it IIBC 75 years flood-free strategy and I can assure you that out of all other developments along the Lagos coastal line, at least the ones that we have seen, it is only IIBC and another one on the ocean that can guarantee this safety.
    There are fears that the effect of dredging or sandfilling in one place affects another place. Is this true?
    This can only be true if it is not done properly or if it is done without any form of regulation. The Lagos State administration has regulated all forms of sand taking from dredging to reclamation/sandfilling to sand stock piling. Do you know that you must do an Environmental Impact Assessment and it must be approved by the Lagos State government before you can take a grain of sand for stock -piling in Lagos? The last administration started the regulations and this government has taken it to another level. Do you know that people that use to just take sand around Badore and Co are no longer there? In fact, it is so regulated that you can only use some particular type of dredger in some areas. Do you also know that over 60 per cent of the world cities that people dwell all around the world are reclaimed? Reclamation in Lagos is well regulated, so there is nothing to be scared of.
    The IIBC’s assurance for investors that their investments are safe?
    IIBC is being reclaimed at over three meters above sea level and we have the best team of global consultants that has ever worked together on any project in Africa. Our reclamation level guarantees investors a 75 years flood free city and all our consultants our top 20 global rating. When our marine consultants said our reclamation height must be above three metres, I said no way because like most developers I was looking at the cost and how much we will have to sell the land and if the public will pay and also at our return on investment (RoI). But they said if we don’t accept their recommendations, they will ask that we terminate the contract because when the flood comes and it will come, they don’t want their company’s name to be associated with such bad image. All the remaining consultants said the same thing. So, these world-class firms that we have engaged care more about the name and reputation of their firms than money and we are all determined to do the right thing. That is the IIBC quality assurance.
    Analysts say events, like the flooding in some parts of Lagos on June 8, will affect property prices. What is your take on this?
    The impact will be both negative and positive. Developments that are at least three metres above sea level will enjoy positive impact while others below that might not. I will advise any one that is building on Lagos Island, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, especially within the Lekki axis to make sure that their foundation is at least 2.5-3metres above sea level and if it is a reclamation project, it must be about that same height, unless we want to start having 10-15meters underground drainage like Japan or have an automatic pumping stations at designated area within estates.These stations pump water to canals that leads to the lagoon or the ocean. That’s the Dutch model and they are well below sea level. I think that the last June 8 incident is a wakeup call and we must all do the needful; we, the citizens, have a lot to do, all hands must be on deck. We have to stop dumping dirt in our canals and drainages. That is not the fault of the government; it’s something we must do.
    Why should one invest in IIBC?
    One of our major selling point is our reclamation height, IIBC is also going to be an eco-friendly self-sustaining smart city; we have the best consultants ever assembled to work on any project in Africa. As I said earlier, no other project in Africa has a better team than us. We didn’t do this because we just want to have the bragging right, even though we do have that. We did it because we want this consultants that have worked on such smart and green cities, such as Mazda City in AbuDhabi; and the Songdo Business City in South Korea to come and do the same in Lagos. We have enjoyed unbelievable help and encouragement from the state government. Rest assured in the next few years IIBC will be the benchmark for future city development in Africa. Universities will use IIBC as a case studies. Actually, my job was made easy because I have the best principal ever, who is ready to have a thin profit margin. If that’s what it takes to fulfill his vison, that is Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi and as if that wasn’t enough, am also lucky to have a chairman that understands the place of posterity- Mr Emeka Ndu. So, IIBC is the real deal.

  • Save us from erosion, community cries out

    Residents of Magbon Community, near Badagry, have cried out to Governor Akinwumi Ambode over threat of erosion.

    According to them, they risk being cut off from other towns and the city if something is not done urgently.

    The community, which is in Olorunda Local Council Development Area, near Badagry, said whenever it rained, children cannot go to school and vehicles cannot move.

    Its spokesperson, Alhaji Tunji Balogun, said the major road leading to the town was about to be cut off.

    “This is what we experience every raining season. Our children cannot go to school. Our markets are flooded, workers swim in the flood to work with extra clothes to change when they get to the expressway. Our farmers cannot take their produce to the market.

    “Vehicle owners dare not risk putting their cars into such flood that is higher than some houses. Some residents have relocated, probably to be back after the rainy season.

    “Our people are predominantly farmers. The flood has even damaged our crops,” Balogun said.

    The community urged the government to come to their aid, especially as they voted en masse for Ambode.

    “Badagry Expressway that links our community up to Obele is not more than 20 kilometers. We have made many representations to the government, we have been to Alausa, the seat of government under Babatunde Fashola but all we get are promises.

    “The health implications of this flood is so bad that everywhere is smelling and mosquitoes are now feasting on our people.

    “Just for the few times it rained, the roads were impassable. How much more when it begins to rain more heavily and constantly.

    “We, therefore, plead with the governor to help us. if they cannot tar the road, let them at least grade it and put in place a good drainage system,” Balogun said.

  • ‘Save us from erosion’

    ‘Save us from erosion’

    The people of Ndi Uduma Awoke in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State have appealed to the state government, public-spirited individuals and corporate organisations to come to their aid and save their community from being wiped out by erosion.

    The people said that if nothing is done urgently that their community will stop existing as erosion sweeps away houses and farmlands almost on a daily basis.

    They said that urgent action must be taken before the rains come, adding that they have been cut off from their neighbouring communities and now lack food.

    Abia is one of the most eroded states in the country. Stretches of communities including farmlands have sunk several feet as  earth broke lose.

    Speaking with newsmen at one of the erosion sites Elder Kalu Jonah, a retired school principal whose building was threatened by the erosion, lamented the inherent danger associated with the menace of the erosion.

    Jonah said that erosion had cut off two residential buildings and the only road network linking their community and neighbouring Amankwu Village, adding that they now find it hard to go to their farms as there are no linking roads anymore.

    He thanked Chief Uche Mgba Uko Dumdum for his quick intervention to the community through the control of the erosion and grading of their road and described him as God’s sent.

    In their separate remarks, Chief Kingsley Kalu Enoch and the Engineer handling the projects, Mr. Uduma said the projects are in two phase, adding that phase one is the grading of the road which is ongoing while the second phase is the control of the gully erosion.

    They solicited the assistance of the state and Federal governments to help them tackle these challenges, and extolled Uko Dumdum for the first lift he is giving the road.

    The people of Ndi Uduma Awoke called on their representatives at the state assembly, federal House of Representatives and the senate to come and help them before it is too late.

    The nation noticed that the community is a ghost of its former self as most people have deserted the community to save their lives and those of their children even as those remaining are finding live very difficult.

  • Hope as erosion control takes off in Kebbi

    Kebbi State residents, especially those in Bunza Local Government Area have heaved an anticipatory sigh of relief as Governor Atiku Bagudu has awarded a contract for erosion control in the area.

    Bunza council is racked by erosion which has destroyed property and claimed lives.

    The state Commissioner for Works Alhaji Abubakar Bunu briefed the press about the contract at the state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

    He said the 2km erosion project was awarded at the cost of N464,385,000 to Great Northern International Company.

    Abubakar Bunu explained that the project was initiated in order to put residents of Bunza Local Government Area out of their nightmare.

    Another contract also awarded was the one totalling N1.7 billion for road rehabilitation in Wasagu Local Government Area of the state.

    The commissioner also announced that N28 million has been spent for the repair of 12 grounded operational vehicles.

     

  • Erosion: Agency warns against harmful environmental practices

    The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) has warned against  the use of interlocking and pebble stones to beautify the environment, describing it as dangerous and the cause of erosion menace in the country.

    The project coordinator of the agency in Anambra State, Michael Ivenso, said this at the weekend, during the first Stakeholders’ Engagement Workshop in Awka.

    It was organised to sensitise stakeholders and the communities affected by erosion on the activities of NEWMAP and how best to prevent and tackle the menace.

    According to him, “People should stop using interlocking or pebble stones in their environments.

    “This is because it encourages accumulation of rainwater which in turn causes erosion by the time the large volume flows into the streets. It does not allow for immediate sinking of rainwater into the ground; hence, it encourages erosion”.

    “Please, we advise people today to stop using interlocking. It is safer and more environment friendly to plant gardens or carpet grasses to enable water sink. It is better we stick to this in the interest of our environment.”

    Furthermore, Ivenso raised the alarm against some other harmful environmental practices which he said had contributed largely to erosion menace in the state.

    “Harmful environmental practices like bush burning, reckless dumping of refuse, open defecation, illegal excavation of sand, blocking of flood channels and the like should be stopped forthwith,” he said,

  • Erosion: Anambra, agency collaborate to provide succour

    Erosion: Anambra, agency collaborate to provide succour

    Anambra State government has said it is collaborating with the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) to provide  palliatives for communities ravaged by erosion.

    This collaboration followed reports of erosion and flooding sites, which endangered the affected communities.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that residents of Urunabbo in Enugu-Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government, had lamented the destruction of 100 homes and displacement of over 500 residents by flood and erosion.

    The community spoke when a team of NEWMAP visited the erosion site to evaluate and monitor the situation.

    A community leader, Mr. Emmanuel Nwadinigwe, said residents tried in vain to control the erosion at the initial stage through planting of bamboo and Melina trees.

    “We appeal to governments through the NEWMAP to assist us and save our history and livelihood.”

    Speaking to NAN, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Executive Secretary Chief Paul Odenigbo said the agency would visit the affected communities to assess the devastation.

    He wondered why such communities had not reported their plight to SEMA.

    Odenigbo said: “The report we got about the erosion challenge and threat to life and property is serious. We shall visit these sites to see how we can assist.”

    NEWMAP’s Project Coordinator in Anambra State Mr. Mike Ivenso, who noted that the Enugu-Ukwu site was one of four sites approved by the World Bank, said bidding for the job had been opened.

    He told NAN that other sites were in Ikenga Ogidi, Nnewi Ichi, Ire Obosi and Ojoto of 960 geo-referenced erosion sites.

    Ivenso said Enugu-Ukwu erosion measured two kilometres and covered about 70.5 hectares, resulting in the erosion of farmlands and access roads, forcing residents to abandon their homes.

    He said the call by Governor Willie Obiano that erosion in Anambra be declared a state of emergency was valid.

    The project coordinator said four sites under recovery, including Amachalla, St Thomas/Neros Plaza, both in Awka South, Ommagba Onitsha and Abagana in Njikoka were at completion stages of between 50 and 90 per cent.

     

    Anambra State government has said it is collaborating with the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) to provide  palliatives for communities ravaged by erosion.

    This collaboration followed reports of erosion and flooding sites, which endangered the affected communities.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that residents of Urunabbo in Enugu-Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government, had lamented the destruction of 100 homes and displacement of over 500 residents by flood and erosion.

    The community spoke when a team of NEWMAP visited the erosion site to evaluate and monitor the situation.

    A community leader, Mr. Emmanuel Nwadinigwe, said residents tried in vain to control the erosion at the initial stage through planting of bamboo and Melina trees.

    “We appeal to governments through the NEWMAP to assist us and save our history and livelihood.”

    Speaking to NAN, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Executive Secretary Chief Paul Odenigbo said the agency would visit the affected communities to assess the devastation.

    He wondered why such communities had not reported their plight to SEMA.

    Odenigbo said: “The report we got about the erosion challenge and threat to life and property is serious. We shall visit these sites to see how we can assist.”

    NEWMAP’s Project Coordinator in Anambra State Mr. Mike Ivenso, who noted that the Enugu-Ukwu site was one of four sites approved by the World Bank, said bidding for the job had been opened.

    He told NAN that other sites were in Ikenga Ogidi, Nnewi Ichi, Ire Obosi and Ojoto of 960 geo-referenced erosion sites.

    Ivenso said Enugu-Ukwu erosion measured two kilometres and covered about 70.5 hectares, resulting in the erosion of farmlands and access roads, forcing residents to abandon their homes.

    He said the call by Governor Willie Obiano that erosion in Anambra be declared a state of emergency was valid.

    The project coordinator said four sites under recovery, including Amachalla, St Thomas/Neros Plaza, both in Awka South, Ommagba Onitsha and Abagana in Njikoka were at completion stages of between 50 and 90 per cent.

     

    He urged communities already benefitting to adopt a healthy environmental to protect and sustain the environment.

    The people of Amachlla village in Awka South where NEWMAP intervened hailed the agency.

    A resident, Mrs. Florence Anigbogu, said she vacated her home in 2011 when erosion almost swept it away.

    She said she returned early this year after the bio-remediation project of NEWMAP recovered the land.

    Mrs. Anigbogu praised the government and its lead agency, pledging that the community will be more environmental-friendly

     

     

  • Erosion sacks 500 residents, 100 homes in Anambra

    Erosion sacks 500 residents, 100 homes in Anambra

    Erosion has sacked over 100 homes with about 500 residents in Enugwu-Ukwu community, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    The erosion covered over 70.5 hectares of the communal land with over two kilometres ravaged.

    It washed away many farmlands, economic trees and public utilities.

    Many other homes are under the threats of the deluge.

    Residents of Urunnebo village in Enugwu-Ukwu spoke yesterday during the visit of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) officials.

    The NEWMAP officials were on erosion sites to ascertain the damage the deluge caused in the community.

    A community leader Nwadinigwe Emmanuel said the erosion had been threatening the area for about 30 years.

    He regretted that many residents were displaced because the erosion had destroyed their homes.

    The community leader noted that the residents made efforts to control the erosion with the planting of bamboo and Melina trees, but the efforts were in vain.

    The state’s NEWMAP project coordinator Michael Ivenso and Director of Communication, Aries Concept Nigeria Limited, which partners NEWMAP, Sola Akinsikun, advised the residents to embrace positive environmental practices to avert further disaster.

    They assured that remedial work would soon begin in the area.

  • Erosion throws estate residents into darkness

    Erosion throws estate residents into darkness

    Residents of Shagari Estate, Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area, Lagos, have been thrown into darkness as the base of some electric poles in the area have been eroded.

    Investigation by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reveals that the Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) had switched off electric supply to the area to avert impending danger.

    This is because the basement of one of the poles carrying 33KVA electric lines has been greatly eroded.

    Mr Olufemi Ojo, the Community Development Association (CDA) Chairman in the area, told NAN that the problem had been on for a long time.

    Ojo said that the case had been reported to the Sole Administrator of the LCDA, Mr Rotimi Ogunwuyi, and other relevant government agencies, but that nothing was done to remedy the situation.

    According to him, continuous rainfall for the past two weeks has further weakened the concrete base.

    He said that emergency agencies had also visited the site to evaluate the problem and proffer solution.

    “From investigations, the problem was caused by blockage of the canal by illegal structures in the area. There are also houses built even under the high electric tension.

    “LASEMA told us in confidence that the repair will be done holistically and some houses would be demolished,’’ Ojo told NAN.

    The LCDA administrator, Ogunwuyi urged the Ikeja Electric Distribution Company to urgently repair a collapsing pole at the Shagari Estate, before wreaking havoc.

    He told NAN that the situation constituted threat to the lives and property of residents in the areas.

    Ogunwuyi said the pole, located at Zone A, AB Street, Shagari Federal Low Cost Hosing Estate, on Ipaja road, had slipped out of its basement and could fall any moment soon.

    He said the problem was caused by erosion which is eating up the base of the pole.

    Ogunwuyi said erosion has been eating the base for close to five years and that the council had been reported the matter to appropriate authorities.

    According to him, there is nothing the State Government could do until the IKEDC is ready to repair the pole base.

    “I have spoken with an official of the IKEDC in the area, who also claimed to have reported to the head office at Ikeja. I have also notified the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and its officials had come to inspect the erosion devastated site. Any rainfall may cause serious disaster in the area,’’ he said.

    Ogunwuyi noted that it would be a great disaster if nothing was done in time to avert the impending danger.

    The administrator said he had advised occupants of the nearby houses to vacate the site in order to avert endangering their lives.

    Meanwhile, an official of the IKEDC, Gowon Estate branch in the area said that efforts were in top gear to ensure that the problem was fixed.

    ýThe official, who pleaded anonymity, however told NAN that the matter had been reported to IKEDC headquarters in Ikeja.

    “We will swing into action as soon as the needed equipment and facilities to remedy the situation are available.

    “However, the head office is in a better position to say the level of preparation,’’ he said.

  • At the mercy of erosion

    At the mercy of erosion

    In Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, erosion threatens everything, from private buildings to the community’s famous polytechnic. NWANOSIKE ONU reports

    Virtually everyone has spoken out about erosion, the community’s most dangerous threat. Prominent figures, like the monarch Igwe Laz Ekwueme, have sounded the alarm, even to the Federal Government. Others have mostly groaned privately. But the monster does not care who is complaining. It keeps coming, threatening to consume everything, including homes of the rich and poor. Now, even Oko Polytechnic, the community’s famous federal institution, is at risk.

    Residents of Oko community in Orumba North Local Government of Anambra State say they are at the mercy of the erosion monster.

    Recently, Prof Ekwueme, the traditional ruler of the community, called on the Federal Government and donor agencies to help because Oko people no longer feel safe. The monarch’s building as well as that of former Vice President Alex Ekwueme are in danger of being eaten up by the monster.

    There is more to worry about facilities at the only federal institution, which was attracted to the community by Ekwueme in 1981 are in danger of being swept away by the menace. It’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Obini Onuchukwu, said the school spent over N8 billion putting up the structures under threat.

    Apart from the institution and the buildings of the Ekwuemes, many other private buildings owned by the citizens and non-citizens of the community are equally not safe.

    Some palliative measures being done by the community and the school management are not enough to stop the rampaging erosion.

    One of the biggest structures at the federal polytechnic Oko, called Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) may likely go off with the auditorium under construction, if nothing is done now.

    The old perimeter fencing built by the institution has been swept off by erosion; now the school is making more efforts to halt the advancing terror.

    One of the community leaders, Ogonna Anumike, said the community may be cut off from some of its neighbours like Amaokpala and Awgbu, among others, if the SOS is not heeded.

    He told The Nation that some buildings had already been swept off by erosion, while crops worth millions of naira had been destroyed.

    Also, Duke Ezeonwuka, the chairman of Oko People’s Union’s youth wing, told The Nation that the community especially the institution in their place was no longer safe as a result of the menace.

    Speaking with The Nation, Onuchukwu said the erosion is an off shoot of the popular Agulu-Nanka erosion site that had threatened the area.

    He said it had become imperative for the federal, state governments, corporate bodies and well-to-do individuals to intervene in order to save the structures in the institution from imminent collapse.

    Other structures being threatened by erosion in the institution were the 1,500-capacity lecture theatre, engineering building, science laboratory technology building and entrepreneurship development centre. Also in danger are the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Resource Centre, the institution’s skills acquisition facility, Chinese Language and Cultural Centre, Continuing Education Programme building, among others.

    Onuchukwu told The Nation that the school had earlier written to the ministry of environment on the matter with graphic explanation and also designed drawing of the proposed ecological control, but yet to receive any help.

    According to him, “Prof. Godwin Onu, a man who is synonymous with development, the greatest achiever and the greatest transformer in the history of the institution started over 23 gigantic structures since 2010 and since then had completed over 13 of them while others are in different levels of completion.

    “These strides beat records of all his predecessors.  All we pray is for the institution to be blessed with a selfless, committed and disciplined Rector like Prof. Onu when he serves out his tenure in 2018.

    “It will be heart breaking, very disheartening if all these sacrifices are allowed to be swept off by erosion. There is absolute need for all and sundry to come to the aid of the institution to salvage the situation.”

    “So far, the institution has sunk so much money from its Internal Generated Revenue in battling to natural disaster. The institution has also spent huge amount of money within the gully axis to check its continuous depression that had collapsed the perimeter fencing some years back.

    “So far the institution has rebuilt the collapsed perimeter fencing, built long stretch of cement road with long depth of drainage system, with catchment pits to break speed of flood within the campus,” he said.

     

  • Minister intervenes in Abia erosion

    The minister of Niger Delta Affairs Usani Uguru Usani has decried the erosions ravaging Nkwoagu Isuochi community in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.

    Usani blamed the erosion on the inability of the agency that awarded the contract to follow up the contract after awarding it, to know the extent and quality of work done.

    Speaking at the erosion site in Nkwoagu Isuochi, Usani regretted that the contract which was awarded six years ago has nothing to show for the work that should have impacted positively on the lives of the people of the area.

    Usani said that he is saddened with the devastation done by erosion which has taken part of the road linking Abia state to Umueze in Anambra state, saying that his ministry through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will find a solution to the problem.

    He regretted that the current bombings of the oil installations in the Niger Delta by some militants has caused economic hardship on the finances of the country, “The situation we have found ourselves now has made it hard for us to work at the speed we would have worked”.

    The Niger Delta minister said that he will liaise with the management of the NDDC to ensure that palliative measures are done urgently to enable the people use the road and also stop any hazard that may occur on the road.

    Earlier the member representing Umunneochi state constituency at the state house of assembly, Ikedi Ezekwesiri called for urgent attention on the road which is being eroded to save the council headquarters and other federal agencies.

    Ezekwesiri blamed the erosion on poor supervision by schedule officers and improper termination of drainage, “Which has put the entire community in dire straits, we need urgent attention to save our people and their properties”.

    He pleaded with the minister to mobilise resources to save lives and property “that are in danger occasioned by the marauding devastation of the erosion menace and achieving results will mean by-passing bureaucratic processes”.

    The Abia State House member said that if the erosion is not checked on time that it will consume the main road, village secondary school built over five decades ago, the police station among other places.

    In her speech the member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejiocha said that in the 2008 fiscal year that the place was not in the budget, which she did added for the contract to be awarded.

    Onyejioch regretted the attitude of the contractor whom she alleged is not qualified to handle the magnitude of job they met on site and pleaded with the minister to come to their aid urgently to save them from further damage of their environment.