Sam Onuigbo, the representative for the Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency, has called for immediate federal government intervention in the South East’s “ravaging erosion.”
At Amawom, Oboro in the Ikwuano local government area of Abia State, Onuigbo made this statement while touring the site of the ongoing reconstruction of the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot-Ekpene road and gully erosion recovery work/water discharge system.
He urged the incoming administration to make dealing with the threat one of its top priorities while expressing concern that it is endangering both lives and property in the area.
He declared, “The threat is wreaking havoc everywhere, causing environmental issues and demolishing buildings. Additionally, it is dividing communities in agricultural areas and making it difficult for farmers to access their farms.
Read Also: Kano Governor-elect not eligible, APC tells tribunal
Onuigbo observed the pipeline belonging to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had been exposed at the threat’s location in Umuwawa, in the Umuahia North local government. This put the community in danger.
The All Progressives Congress member lamented, “It is a disaster waiting to happen, but it is also a disaster that can be avoided through the federal government’s intervention.”
Onuigbo, who claimed to have introduced two motions on the subject on the House floor, further stated his admiration for the cleanup efforts and water discharge system at the kilometre 10 Area in Amawom.
The Federal Ministry of Works was also praised by the legislator for its quick action and superb work, as well as the project’s contractor for his skills and so far demonstrated effective solution.
He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari “for approving the contract and subsequently moving it to the NNPC’s Tax Credit Scheme that the contract enjoys today” through Minister of Works Babatunde Fashola.
Other highlights of the trip included his facilitation of the opening of a contemporary health centre at Oloko and the commissioning of a block of six classrooms and three classrooms, respectively, at Amaoba and Umudike.
Read Also: 7 people burnt, 18 injured in Lagos-Ibadan Expressway accident
The company’s project engineer, Hisham Yassin, explained that a significant improvement was being made in the road construction at the location of the recovery work and water discharge system.
Although he emphasised that there was a material shortage before and during the election season, he claimed that 6.5 km of the 49 km road had already been delivered.