Follow Us on Google
From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Senate has urged the Federal Government to immediately intervene in the escalating ecological degradation in Esanland, Edo State, and to rehabilitate the Okija Spur–Ihembosi–Ukpor–Ebenator–Ezinifite Road in Anambra State.
On the ecological crisis in Edo Central senatorial district, the Senate asked the Ecological Fund Office (EFO), the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) to carry out urgent on-the-spot assessments and immediately commence intervention works at identified erosion sites.
It also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide emergency relief materials and support to affected communities pending long-term remediation, while mandating the Committees on Environment, and Ecology and Climate Change to engage relevant agencies to ensure prompt allocation and release of funds for erosion control, land reclamation and afforestation projects in the district.
In addition, the Committee on Ecology and Climate Change was mandated to liaise with the Ecological Fund Office, the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Edo State Government to prioritise Esan erosion sites in the next cycle of national ecological intervention programmes.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Joseph Ikpea, who warned that unchecked erosion, flooding and deforestation in Esan Central, Esan West, Esan North-East, Esan South-East and Igueben local government areas posed a growing threat to lives, livelihoods and infrastructure.
Ikpea drew attention to the worsening Ewu gully erosion site in Esan Central, the Ukhun–Emaudo erosion corridor in Esan West and persistent flooding and gully formation around Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. He lamented that despite repeated ecological assessments, there had been “no visible federal intervention” by relevant agencies, even as the damage intensified with every rainy season.
In a separate resolution, the Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to immediately carry out engineering inspections on the collapsed old bridge and failed sections of the Okija Spur Road, while initiating emergency measures to restore at least temporary and safe connectivity.
It further mandated the Senate Committee on Works to oversee all intervention activities relating to the rehabilitation of the Okija Spur Road, the collapsed bridge and the completion of the new bridge over the Ulasi stream.
The resolutions arose from a motion sponsored by Emmanuel Nwachukwu, who described the Okija Spur–Okija–Afor Ukpor–Ebenator–Ezinifite Road as a critical intra-regional corridor supporting commerce, agriculture, education and healthcare across several communities in Anambra South.
Nwachukwu recalled that the old bridge along the route collapsed on March 5, 2025, completely cutting off movement and endangering lives, while the new bridge—under construction for over a decade—remains about 70 per cent completed. He warned that the combined effect of the collapsed bridge, the unfinished new structure and deteriorated road sections had increased hardship for residents, traders, farmers and transporters.
Both motions were adopted without amendment following deliberations during plenary.
