By Juliana Nwachukwu
The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Anambra State Branch, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on the erosion menace affecting parts of Anambra State.
The organisation made the call in a statement signed by its Chairman, Evangelist Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, AMBP-UN, and Secretary, Comrade Chidi Mbah, and issued to newsmen in Awka.
CLO described the worsening erosion situation in parts of Idemili North, Idemili South and Aguata Local Government Areas(LGA) as a serious threat requiring urgent intervention to protect lives, communities and critical infrastructure.
According to the group, erosion has continued to endanger residential buildings and major roads, threaten properties worth billions of naira and disrupt movement for residents and commuters.
It identified the Onitsha-Owerri Road, Ugamuma in Obosi, Ekwulobia, Oba, Ogidi and Umuchu, among other affected communities, as areas requiring immediate attention.
The organisation urged President Tinubu to direct the Ministers of Works and Environment to undertake an immediate assessment of the affected areas and mandate the Federal Ministry of Works to implement emergency palliative measures while permanent solutions are developed.
CLO appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assess the situation and provide relief materials and support to affected residents and displaced persons.
The group commended Engr. Eric Anyaneme for undertaking palliative erosion control and containment works in Obosi, including the tarring of an access road linking the affected site. It also acknowledged Senator Dr. Victor Umeh for visiting affected communities, sympathising with victims and pledging to raise the matter with the Federal Government and National Assembly.
CLO advocated stronger collaboration among government agencies, traditional institutions, town unions, civil society organisations and residents to address the erosion menace through environmental protection, proper waste disposal and tree planting.
The organisation stressed that the scale of the erosion threat demanded urgent and coordinated action to prevent further damage to lives, properties and critical infrastructure across the State.
Juliana Nwachukwu is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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#solutionishere
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