The people of Urualla clan in Ideato North Council Area of Imo State has cried out to the state government to urgently intervene in tackling the erosion menace which according to them has for decades threatened their lives and existence.
The people who visited the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem in Owerri yesterday over their plight, expressed worry that if something is not done urgently to tackle the menace, their community is under serious threat of being wiped out by erosion.
Speaking, Hon. Barr. Innocent Arthur Egwim, member representing Ideato North in the state House, Prof. Samuel Ezeanyika, President General of the clan, Hon. Ehtelbert Ibeawuchi and Hon. Emeka Ekwunna who led the delegation on the visit, said the current deplorable condition of the community, caused by the erosion, has negatively affected the socio-economic lives of their people.
According to Ibeawuchi, “nobody in Urualla today has peace of mind or sleeps at night when there is heavy rain fall. Most of our businesses and means of livelihood have crumbled because erosion has wiped out our homes, markets and other places of great importance to our existence.”
“All we want is for the government to urgently intervene and save us because if nothing is being done as quickly as possible, we shall be counting losses of human lives and economic damages in the next few days since the raining season is about to commence.
“Honestly, we don’t think there would be anything like Urualla clan which is made up eight communities would survive the coming raining season. We will be completely wiped out by rampaging erosion menace.”
Ekwunna added, “this project has lingered for over 10 years and we have made concerted efforts to tackle it. We have interfaced with the State Ministry of Environment and other concerned agencies over this matter. And up till now, every attempts made so far was abandoned half way for one reason or the other.
“So we want the state government to order the contractors handling the project to return to the site with immediate effect. This will be in the best interest of our people and the state government.
“We also want our governor, Sen. Hope Uzodinma to know that the entire people of Urualla will never forget him and will continue to support his government if he will harken to our request and save our community from eminent extinction.”
Responding, the Speaker reassured the people of the state government’s commitment towards ensuring the general well-being of the citizens.
He also assured the state Assembly under his watch will give priority attention to their plight and would explore possible means that will see that the erosion menace was tackled without further delay.
He said, “In the past one year, if you have observed, our governor has done so well to restore people’s confidence in governance of the state.
“I can assure you that His Excellency understands and feels the pause and plights of your people. And he will surely do something about this problem.
“So I want to promise you that as quickly as move out from here, I am going to make necessary efforts to see how the situation can be salvaged.”
Dignitaries of Urualla also present at the visit include HRH Eze Ogbonna Obioha, HRH Eze Christian Adigbonu, Barr. Ken Nlebedum, Hon. Paul Okosisi, Chief Martins Egeonu, Hon. Onyeka Ehirim and Ezeugo Ehtelbert among others.
