The House of Representatives on Wednesday called on relevant MDAs of the Federal Government to urgently set mechanisms in motion towards rebuilding collapsed Akokwa-Umuchima-Mgbe-Orlu Federal road, and to Reconstruct the collapsed Mgbe-Umuezeala-Ogboko bridge in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State.
The House also mandated the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Federal Ministry of Environment and the Ecological Fund Office to embark on thorough repair, reconstruction and remedial works on the Mgbe/Umuezeala/Ogboko Bypass in Ideato South Local Government Area of the State.
It further mandated FERMA, the NDDC, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Federal Ministry of Environment and the Ecological Fund Office to carry out extensive repair on the Akokwa-Umuchima-Mgbe-Orlu Federal Road which connects Ideato to other parts of the State.
It also called on the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relief Agencies to immediately provide relief materials for the displaced people of Ideato South Local Government area and its environs.
These resolutions followed the consideration and adoption of a motion on notice brought by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere calling on the House to mobilize federal government efforts into alleviating the untold sufferings currently faced by the people of the affected communities on the stated road corridors.
The lawmaker in his presentation cited Section 14(2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) “provides that the security, safety and welfare of the people of Nigeria shall be the primary purpose of government.
“The National Assembly is saddled with the task of making laws for the peace, order and good governance of the Federation or any part thereof as enshrined in Section 4(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended).
“The Mgbe/Umuezeala/Ogboko Bypass in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, is a make shift road carved out by the residents, as a result of the total collapse of the Akokwa-Umuchima-Mgbe-Orlu Federal Road which connects Ideato to other parts of Imo State.
“The Mgbe/Umuezeala/Ogboko Bypass is the only route that leads to Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State (after the failure of the Akokwa-Umuchima-Mgbe-Orlu Federal Road) and as such, its collapse amounts to a total cut of the people of Ideato South Local Government Area from the other parts of the State.
“As a result of ravaging gully erosion, the Mgbe/Umuezeala/Ogboko Bypass and all the houses/landed properties situated within the precincts of the road have been completely washed off by the erosion and many residents have fled from the area, for the fear of their lives.
“As a result of the ravaging gully erosion which brought down the bypass, the life, livelihood and properties of many of my Constituents have been lost in the process and if nothing is urgently done to curb it, more lives, livelihood and properties of my Constituents will be lost.
“As I speak, I cannot travel home because there is no road to ply and the seemingly alternate route that runs through Enugu to Arondizuogu, is a death trap and no one dares ply through the road, for fear of insecurity,” the lawmaker informed colleagues.
He therefore expressed worries that “if no urgent and immediate repair/reconstruction steps are taken to salvage the situation, more devastating damage would be done to the lives, livelihood and properties of my Constituents and this may adversely affect my access to my Constituents.”
The House in approving the resolutions mandated its Committees on Works, Emergency and Disaster Preparedness (when constituted) to ensure compliance and report back for further action.