By Peter Okolie

The Lawmaker representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo, Mr Ikenga Ugochinyere, has expressed concern over the threats posed by erosion and insecurity to his constituency.

Speaking on the two challenges at a news briefing in Owerri on Thursday, Ugochinyere urged the State and Federal Governments to address the issues without further delay.

He regretted that the erosion had already ravaged buildings and farmlands, while many lives had been cut short by bandits.

Although the lawmaker commended the State and Federal Government’s progress in controlling the Umuchima erosion menace, he said that bigger erosion challenges had emerged in other areas.

“Ideato is sinking and is at the verge of extinction, and requires the deliberate attention of the State and Federal Governments to salvage the people.

“We have succeeded with the Umuchima erosion control but we have bigger challenges in places like Urualla.

“In Urualla, where the World Bank pulled out, the erosion has gone out of control with new communities sinking day by day,” he said.

He also said that Urualla alone had three erosion sites, pointing out that a 1.2km drainage was currently being built to control the erosion into the Orashi River.

He, however, said that his effort towards achieving the drainage system was limited, in view of the new erosion challenges in Obodoukwu, Isiokpo and Ejezie communities.

“The bye-pass being used for Umueshi-Amanator-Isiekenesi-Dikenafai-Okwelle is already sinking too and needs to be fixed.

“We need the State and Federal Government as a matter of urgency to intervene in controlling erosion in the two Local Government Areas, which have contributed to the development of the state and the country,” he said.

He also said that other erosion-ravaged communities included Akokwa, Osina and the Umuobom Bridge, which was about to collapse.

Speaking on security, the lawmaker lamented the worsening breaches in the area, calling for the establishment of local vigilance groups to tackle the menace.

He expressed deep regrets over the recent attack on Arondiizuogu communities, including Umualaoma, Ejezizuogu and Ndiakunwanta, where more than 26 people were reportedly killed.

He said: “Whether it was caused by separatist groups, kidnappers or organ harvesters, the situation has gotten scary as people no longer go to farms, while many have fled to the cities.

“We need the support of not just the Federal but State Government because we have revenues that should take care of security of lives and property of the people in their local domain.

“We want the activation of the local vigilance system funded by Local Governments and supported by the various communities.”

According to him, most communities lack local security guards, while those with established local guards barely boast of guns, motorcycles and vehicles, and are paid paltry sums of N50,000 for risking their lives.

“That is why you see different armed groups terrorising these communities.

“By now, I had expected the State Government to have visited the area with relief materials to support the victims,” he said.

Ugochinyere said he had visited and disbursed N5 million to assist survivors and families of deceased persons.

He disclosed that he had launched the “Ideato Emergency Fund” to support families of victims and survivors of various armed attacks in the constituency.

“The fund has so far realised N32 million with a N50 million target through donations from friends in the next few days,” he said.

He, however, called on the Ideato North and Ideato South Local Government Chairmen to rise up to the occasion by visiting and supporting the victims and survivors of insecurity in their areas.

“We cannot continue to accept a situation where local government chairmen cannot cut grasses in their council secretariats, equip health centers, provide boreholes, streetlights, security and rehabilitate schools, yet receive nothing less than N350 million monthly allocation,” he said.

The lawmaker also voiced concern about the crisis plaguing the Peoples Democratic Party, frowning at the way he was “unfairly” treated by the party.

Ugochinyere, who described himself as a “shinning light” of the party in the state, following his “victory from exile”, wondered why he was being treated unfairly, in spite of his loyalty and support to the party.

He threatened to quit the party with his supporters, if his alleged maltreatment continued.

“We are still in the party today. We have not moved and have not taken a decision to move.

“If you treat us fine, we will be with you, and if you don’t, we will face another direction with our structure,” he warned.

He enumerated some of his achievements at the National Assembly to include Bills for the Establishment of a Federal Skill Center at Umuobom as well as a Federal Hospital.

He also said he had constructed boreholes and installed over 4,000 solar streetlights, rehabilitated schools, and facilitated federal employments for many youths.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sam Oditah