Reps call on the FG to issue a state of emergency on Edo’s environmental degradation

To address the environmental degradation in Edo State, the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to issue a state of emergency.

This came after Rep. Anamero Dekeri (PDP-Edo)’s motion was approved in plenary on Thursday, according to NAN.

Dekeri, who proposed the motion, argued that the worrisome rate of environmental deterioration in the Etsako Federal Constituency.

He claimed that the damage brought on by storms and gully erosion had ruined homes, farms, and other types of property in addition to making certain places inaccessible.

The congressman said that a rainfall in Okpella had caused the bridge that connected Iddo-Okugbe and the Awuyemi hamlet to be washed away.

“Electric poles and communication routes connecting parts of the state to other parts of the country are not left out,” the speaker declared.

According to Dekeri, there are several instances of gully erosion in the state’s Etsako West Local Government Area, posing a serious risk to life and property.

He added that the Federal Highway between Auchi and Agenebode had also been blocked off by erosion.

“This is making the highway unusable for vehicles traveling from the country’s northern to southern regions.

In Etsako Federal Constituency, Edo, “there is a need to stem this ugly trend of environmental degradation,” he declared.

In order to restore the afflicted towns to the national grid, the House encouraged the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to replace the damaged electric poles, cables, and other components.

The MPs also requested the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to step in and rebuild the damaged bridge so that commuters and cars would have immediate access to other regions of the nation.

Additionally, they urged the Ministry of Works to require the contractor in charge of the road project to immediately restart work.

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation as well as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were further encouraged by the House to deliver aid supplies to the impacted localities.

The House Committees on the Ecological Fund, FERMA, NEMA, and REA were ordered by Rep. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker, to guarantee compliance and submit a report within four weeks.