By Anayo Okoli

UMUAHIA—Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State  has lamented the menace of gully erosion threatening the South-East, and in particular, his state and appealed for urgent intervention by the Federal Government.

Governor Ikpeazu also lamented the deplorable condition of federal roads in the state and called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the roads in Abia State as they are all death traps.

The governor spoke separately while hosting members of the House of Representatives Committee on Environment and Habitat led by the chairman, Obinna Chidioka and Committee on Works led by Chief Tobi Okechukwu, who paid him visits at the Government House, Umuahia.

The governor lamented that erosion menace had made it impossible to access some communities in the state, pointing out that the entire South East geo-political zone is being devastated by erosion and Abia has a fair share of the ecological menace with its attendant consequences.

Ikpeazu

Ikpeazu expressed sadness that due to erosion problem, many communities of Abia state including Isuikwuato, Ubakala and many others could no longer be completely accessed.

On the state of federal roads in Abia State, Ikpeazu wrote them off and urged the Federal Government to declare state of emergency on them.

“As at today, Aba-Owerri road is the only entry and exit route into Aba, which is the commercial hub of Abia and states around; and even this was made possible because the state continues to intervene on the road.

“Both Port Harcourt and Ikot Ekpene roads are completely closed to vehicular traffic. This has made it difficult to come to Abia State from Akwa Ibom and Rivers State through Ikot Ekpene, Opobo and Port Harcourt road.

“We want the Federal Government to declare state of emergency on the Federal roads in Abia. I therefore urge the members of the House of Representatives to help make a very strong case for Federal roads reconstruction in Abia State.

“As a Government, we have also applied to the Federal Government to allow us reconstruct some of the roads in order to facilitate trade and commerce which Aba has comparative advantage. Even when we have not received reimbursement for previous works done”, Governor Ikpeazu said.

In his remarks, the chairman of the committee, Hon. Obinna Chidioka explained that they were in the state to look at issues prevailing in the environment and admitted that erosion menace in the zone has contributed in shrinking the landmass in the South East zone.

In his own remarks, the Chairman House Committee on works, Hon. Tobi Okechukwu said, “we are in Abia State to ascertain the condition of Federal roads in the state as well as assess performance of contractors handling Federal road projects in the South East.

“In due course,   the House will take a look at those claims made by Abia State, so as to make sure the State is reimbursed for maintaining Federal roads in the State”, Okechukwu assured.