Awka, June 24, 2020 (MOI) Anambra State lawmakers have appealed to Anambra State Government to direct Commissioner for Environment to immediately commence work on the Amadino, Nnobi erosion site.
The House passed the resolution during plenary on June 23, saying the erosion menace demanded urgency as it had been threatening to cut off the busy road from Afor Nnobi to Nkwo Nnewi.
The resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Mr Chuka Ezenwune representing Idemili South Constituency and seconded by Mr Onyebuchi Offor representing Ekwusigo.
Speaker, Mr Uchenna Okafor, who presided over the plenary, moved for the adoption of the motion, while the lawmakers unanimously adopted it through a voice votes.
“Anambra State is an erosion-prone state. I have heard Gov. Willie Obiano say that we have not less than 100 erosion sites and that about 14 of them are being attended to; they are giving him sleepless nights.
“You know also that he has been doing so well to make sure that all these erosion sites are attended to. He has been seeking for international donors’ support.
“We as House members are raising our voices to erosion menace in the state,’’ Mr Okafor said.
Speaking on the motion, Mr Ezenwune pointed out the need to tackle the erosion site immediately saying: “the Afor Nnobi to Nkwo Nnewi square is one of the most important roads in the area.
“This is vital for the ease of doing business at the commercial city of Nnewi,’’ he stressed.
Mr Ezenwune explained that if the road was eventually cut off by erosion, it would impose untold hardships on commuters and businesses in and around Nnewi, which would adversely affect fortunes of those doing business in the city.
“It will drastically reduce the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) accruing to the state from the town and environs.
“The road is one of the most busy roads in Anambra, from Awka, Ekwulobia, Onitsha and other parts of the state can be assessed,’’ Ezenwune added.
Mr Offor (Ekwusigo Constituency) posited that the road was very strategic as it also led to Oraifite, his country home as well as to so many towns and villages in the state.
The House, then, set up a Special Taskforce on erosion monitoring in the state to be chaired by Chief Whip, Mr Lawrence Ezeudu.
While moving the motion for adjournment, Mr John Nwokoye (Awka North) called attention of Gov. Obiano, in the ongoing communal crisis between Achalla and Urum communities in Awka North Local Government Area.
Mr Nwokoye pleaded with him to intervene to restore lasting peace and order, within the two feuding communities.
He also appealed to the House to urge the governor to direct the state Commissioner of Police to protect life and property of the two communities.
The Speaker commended the governor for all he had been doing to ensure peace in the state.
He urged the House Committee Chairman on security to meet with the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to look with mercy on the people of Awka North’ and see what they could do to stop the crisis. (MOI)
AMN/RNI/TON