Members of the House of Representatives on Thursday called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Auchi and its surroundings, aiming to provide comprehensive remediation to safeguard the lives and properties of residents of Etsako Federal Constituency in Edo State.
The lawmakers made this urgent call during the debate on a motion regarding the ‘Need to Stem the Rising Cases of Environmental Degradation in Etsako Federal Constituency, Edo State’, sponsored by Hon. Anamero Dekeri.
In his lead debate, Hon. Dekeri observed the increasing rate of environmental degradation in Etsako Federal Constituency, Edo State, due to rainstorm disasters and gully erosion. These calamities have been destroying lives, properties, farmlands, and agricultural produce, rendering some areas inaccessible.
“The House is aware of the recent rainstorm disaster that affected Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area, washing away the bridge connecting Iddo-Okugbe with Awuyemi leading to the Federal Highway, electricity poles, and communication routes connecting parts of the state in the country.
“The House is also aware that in Etsako West Local Government Area, there are several cases of gully erosion sites at different magnitudes posing a significant danger to lives and properties.
“In Ogwokhai community, Aibotse Hitage Zone, Osomeke and Oshiomhole Village, and along Aviele-Auchi Federal Highway by Osokwili Axis (Etsako West, State Constituency 1), from one side and on the other side (State Constituency 2), the Auchi to Agenebode federal highway has been cut off by a large gully at the Ayogwiri-Ogbona axis of the road, rendering vehicular movement from the Northern to Southern parts of the country through the route impassable.
“The House is cognizant of the need to stem this ugly trend of environmental degradation in Etsako Federal Constituency, Edo State,” he noted.
In the bid to bring relief to the people, the lawmakers mandated the authorities of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to replace the damaged electricity poles, wires, and other components and reconnect the affected communities to the national grid.
The House also urged the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to urgently intervene and reconstruct the bridge linking Iddo-Okugbe Communities with Awuyemi Community and the Ayogwiri-Ogbona axis of the Auchi to Agenebode Federal Highway to allow immediate access by vehicles and commuters to other parts of the country.
Furthermore, the House mandated the Federal Ministry of Works to compel the contractor handling the road project to resume work without delay.
In the same vein, the lawmakers urged the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Office of Ecological Fund to declare a state of emergency in Auchi and its environment to provide comprehensive remediation to safeguard lives and properties in Etsako Federal Constituency, Edo State.
The House also mandated the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials to affected communities across Etsako Federal Constituency, Edo State.
To this end, the House mandated the joint committees on FERMA, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Ecological Fund, and the National Rural Electrification to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
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