ENVIRONMENT Reps raise alarm over erosion in Kogi communities

The House of Representatives yesterday raised an alarm over erosion in some communities in Kogi State.

The house said the erosion was threatening to cut off the communities in Idah, Igalamela-Odolu, Ofu and Ibaji local government councils from the rest of the state.

Adopting a motion by Rep Emmanuel Makoji Egwu (PDP, Kogi), the house listed the communities as Angwa, New GRA and Iyogbo, Ajaka, Umomi, Odolchalla and Onyedega.

The house therefore urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send relief materials to the affected communities.

The lawmakers said accessibility to localities within the area has been made difficult because of erosion, “which is washing away farm lands, thus leading to a reduction of arable land in the constituency” as well as hampering the movement of farm produce from farms to cities.

“The federal government has not hearkened to the pleas of the people to control the erosion menace, which is threatening to cut off the federal road linking Idah to Anyigba at a point in Umomi,” the house said.

The lawmakers also urged the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP) to take urgent steps to control the erosion in order to prevent further washing away of houses, roads and farmlands.

The committees on environment and habitat as well as legislative compliance were mandated to ensure compliance with the resolution.