Minister calls for state of emergency on erosion

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Minister of State for Environment, Mrs Sharon Ikeazor has called for the immediate declaration of a state of emergency on erosion ravaging several parts of the country so as to comprehensively tackle the menace.
This, according to her, is urgently required in view of the devastating effects of flood and gully erosion to lives, property and the ecosystem across the country.
This was contained in a statement signed by Saghir el Mohammed,Director Press, said the Minister who was accompanied by the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke on inspection of some erosion sites recently in Anambra State, avowed that: “We are coming in with renewed vigour, and every sense of urgency to make sure that remediation is carried out on erosion sites in Nigeria. From what I have seen, there is need for a state of emergency to be declared on gully erosion in the country.
“Anambra State is losing its landmass. People are losing their lives, and means of livelihood to erosion. I want to assure you that work is starting immediately, hence this inspection. All contractors will be put on their toes, as we work with both the State Government and host communities in this regards,” she said.
Speaking on the role of the citizenry in erosion prevention and management, the Minister, emphasized the need for continued public sensitization and awareness creation on waste management, afforestation and reduction in green gas emission.
She said: “We need to educate our people, because a larger percentage of the environmental challenges we are suffering today are man-made. We cannot blame everything on nature. What is happening to the climate today was caused by man.
During the inspection of Community Secondary School Obosi erosion site, Mrs Ikeazor bemoaned the devastating impact of gully erosion on the school and assured that urgent steps must be taking to address the situation, saying that its disruption of education should not be tolerated.
In his remark, Dr. Okeke, expressed the readiness of their State Government to partner with FG in its renewed efforts at remediating erosion sites in the state.
“The State is always ready to partner with the Federal Government. Anambra is really suffering from gully erosion. We are the second smallest state in the federation. While Lagos is gaining landmass through reclamation from the sea, we are losing lands to gully erosion. Something needs to be done fast,” he said.
The Deputy Governor went further to appreciate the efforts of the federal governmnt through NEWMAP World Bank assisted projects in the state, while expressing delight over the on-the-spot assessment of erosion sites in the State by the Minister.
He called on the federal government to do more because erosion has not only affected Anambra’s land mass, but has also affected the people who are daily losing properties and means of their livelihood to erosion.
The Traditional Ruler of Obosi kingdom, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, while speaking on behalf of Obosi Community, appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for finding an indigene of their community worthy of appointment as a Minister of State, Environment.