By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Ministry of Environment, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Ecological Fund Office, and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to immediately mobilise contractors and commence emergency remedial works on the collapsed Umuma Isiaku–Nkwerre Road in Imo State.

The House also called on the Ecological Fund Office to urgently deploy resources from the Ecological Fund to undertake comprehensive erosion control works across affected communities in Ideato, particularly Umuma Isiaku, Uruala, Obodoukwu, Isiokpe, Umuaghobe, Umueshi, and Amanato.

In addition, lawmakers urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide immediate relief materials and emergency assistance to families and communities displaced or cut off by the road collapse and escalating erosion crisis.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the member representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, during plenary on Tuesday.

Moving the motion, Ugochinyere cited Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

He informed the House that the Umuma Isiaku–Nkwerre Road, a major access route linking Ideato South Local Government Area to Nkwerre LGA and other parts of Imo State, collapsed near St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Umuma Isiaku, effectively cutting off thousands of residents and commuters overnight.

According to him, the collapse has separated families, disrupted access to schools, markets and farmlands, and forced residents to rely on longer and more dangerous routes through Owerri or Okigwe to reach their destinations.

Ugochinyere described the incident as part of a broader ecological emergency affecting the Ideato area, noting that severe erosion sites in Uruala, Obodoukwu, Isiokpe, Umuaghobe, Umueshi, and Amanato have already destroyed farmlands, homes and public infrastructure.

He warned that with each rainfall, the situation worsens as more land collapses, homes become uninhabitable, and the safety and livelihoods of Ideato communities remain under serious threat.

The lawmaker also expressed concern over what he described as the prolonged neglect and delayed response of relevant federal agencies despite repeated alerts and legislative interventions on the growing ecological crisis in the area.

Following deliberations, the House adopted the motion and mandated the Committees on Works, Environment, NDDC, and Emergency and Disaster Preparedness to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.