House of Representatives on Thursday, tasked Federal Government through National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to ensure the resettlement of Nigerians who were displaced by gully erosion and provide relief materials.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion on the ‘Need to implement safety measures against gully erosion menace in Nigeria’, sponsored by Hon. Kolawole Davidson Akinlayo.
In his lead debate, Hon. Akinlayo who solicited for the House intervention cited the provisions of Section 14(2b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which “provides that the security, safety, and welfare of the people of Nigeria shall be the primary purpose of government.
“The House also notes that the ravaging effect of the coastal erosion across the country has posed a significant threat to the security and livelihoods of many communities, highlighting the urgent need for government intervention and sustainable solutions to protect the citizens and their environment.
“The House is aware that the preservation, restoration, and maintenance of the ecological environment in local communities in Moba, Ilejemeje, and Ido-Osi Federal Constituency of Ekiti State is crucial for safe movement of goods and services.
“The House is also aware that the erosion tragedy could lead to the collapse of the entire rural agricultural economy in vital food-producing regions.
“The House is concerned about the threat of gully erosion and its devastating consequences on the livelihoods and safety of the indigenous people and residents of the country.
“In addition, the problem of gully erosion has flooded a lot of structures, churches, farms, places of worship, schools, and football fields, and the roads are in a deplorable state.
“The House is also concerned that the issue of gully erosion poses a significant threat to the Indigenous people of the communities, causing flooding of various structures, churches, farms, schools, and football fields further complicating the financial security of the people and displaced residents.
“The House is further concerned that if quick action is not taken to avert the disaster, the consequences of severe flooding at the height of the rainy season could spark a looming danger and ultimately result in the deaths of well-meaning Nigerians due to erosion.
“As a result, reclamation and shore protection measures must be put in place to address the threat to communities that could otherwise disappear.”
In the bid to address the challenges, the House tasked Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Roads and Maintenance Agency (FERMA), and Ecological Fund Office to urgently fund the construction of a new route that will link affected communities in each State across Nigeria.
The lawmakers also urged National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to ensure the resettlement of displaced residents in affected areas and provide relief materials.
In the same vein, the lawmakers further urge Ecological Fund Office (EFO) and NEMA to jointly agree and engage relevant experts to implement measures, such as slope stabilisation, gabion installations, terracing, re-vegetation, and construction of losses, and minimize the risks to nearby infrastructure, and communities.
To this end, the House mandated its Committee on Environment to conduct tour of the affected communities to assess the damages and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
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