The House of Representatives has called for emergency intervention to prevent gully erosion and damaged roads from further endangering more than 32 communities in Ideato North and Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State.
The lawmakers adopted a motion sponsored by the constituency’s representative, Ikenga Ugochinyere, urging the Federal and Imo State governments to tackle the worsening environmental crisis and restore critical transport links.
The motion warned that expanding gullies, flooding and collapsing infrastructure had caused fatalities, displaced residents and disrupted access to healthcare facilities, schools, markets and other essential services.
Among the roads and structures identified as being at risk are the Umueshi-Amanator-Isiekenesi-Dikenafai-Okwelle bypass and the Umuobom Bridge, which is threatened with collapse.
Other affected routes include the Ntueke-Umueshi and Arondizuogu road links, which connect communities in Ideato with parts of Okigwe Federal Constituency and Abia State.
Communities identified in the motion include Urualla, Ozuomee-Urualla, Obodoukwu, Umumejiaku-Obodoukwu, Osina, Akokwa, Akpulu Isiokpo, Ejezie, Arondizuogu, Umuobom, Umueshi, Amanator, Isiekenesi, Umuaghobe, Umumaisiaku, Okohia and Umuchima.
Moving the motion, Ugochinyere warned that the erosion sites continued to expand during every rainy season, increasing the risk to residential areas, roads and public infrastructure.
He said further delays could lead to more deaths, destruction of property, displacement and prolonged disruption of economic activities.
The lawmaker recalled that the House had called for federal intervention in the constituency on November 1, 2023. On June 26, 2025, it also declared Ideato North and Ideato South an erosion and road disaster zone, directing relevant ministries and agencies to begin remedial works and provide relief to displaced residents.
However, the continued deterioration of roads and erosion sites has raised concerns about the implementation of the earlier resolutions.
The motion also acknowledged the Federal Government’s previous intervention at the Umuchima gully erosion site, which has since been taken over by the Imo State Government.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Ecological Fund Office, the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Federal Ministry of Works to work with the Imo State Government and the two local government councils to begin emergency erosion-control and drainage projects.
Priority locations include Urualla erosion sites one, two and three, as well as Ozuomee, Obodoukwu, Isiokpo and Umueshi.
The lawmakers also called on the Federal Government to revive and complete the abandoned Urualla erosion-control project, either through renewed engagement with the World Bank or direct federal funding.
On road rehabilitation, the House urged the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency and the Federal Ministry of Works to repair the Umueshi-Amanator-Isiekenesi-Dikenafai-Okwelle bypass, the Osina-Obodoukwu road and the Umuobom Bridge.
It also called for the restoration of road links disrupted by erosion at Ntueke-Umueshi and Arondizuogu to improve access and movement between affected communities.
The South East Development Commission was further urged to include the Ideato erosion sites among its priority intervention projects, given the scale of the crisis and its implications for regional development.
Ugochinyere called on the relevant government agencies to translate the resolutions into practical action, stressing the need for lasting engineering solutions, improved drainage, road rehabilitation and the completion of abandoned projects.
He maintained that a coordinated and sustained response was necessary to protect lives and property, restore essential infrastructure and prevent further destruction across the affected communities
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