THE lawmaker representing Anaocha, Dunukofia, Njikoka Federal Constituency at the National Assembly Abuja, Chief Dozie Nwankwo has called for an increase in the ecological funds meant for Anambra state.
This is coming on the heels of fresh reports of erosion menace in some communities in his Constituency.
Report has it that erosion menace in Abagana, Nimo and Agulu has resumed following constant rainfall in those areas and that buildings in the area are being threatened.
According to Nwankwo who spoke with our correspondent yesterday in a telephone interview, he said the funds allocated for fighting erosion in Anambra state is inadequate.
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“Anambra state is one of the states that are badly affected by erosion, even at my backyard we have gully erosion and I know what I have done to checkmate it.
“We have erosion in my hometown Enugu ukwu and have erosion in Abagana Nimo and Agulu and with the type of rainfall this year, areas that were no longer active have become active.
So far, as a legislator, I have been able to assist communities in my area by providing funds to dig catchment pits and also plant trees to control the menace.
“We were able to work with the leadership of town Unions who have been carrying out sensitisation programs in the rural areas and on two occasions, I have invited officials of the Federal Ministry of Environment to my Constituency.
But the funds are not enough because the number of erosion sites in Anambra state both active and inactive is over 800 and there is not much the state government can do. So we call on the Federal Government to review the budget for ecological funds for Anambra state.
Nwankwo, however, announced that during his second term as a legislator, he would sponsor a bill for law for the appropriation of a Special Ecological Funds for states that are worst hit by erosion.
He noted that the bill would ultimately lead to the introduction of Special Ecological Funds.
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