Politics
THE Anambra State House of Assembly on Wednesday urged Gov. Willie Obiano to start the assessment and repair of roads damaged by erosion to avert more building collapse incidents.
This followed a motion under Matters of Urgent Public Importance by Mr Douglas Egbuna (Onitsha North I) at the plenary session.
Moving the motion, Egbuna said that properties were being lost due to the menace of gully erosion in the state.
He explained that the motion was prompted by the collapsed of a three-storey building at No. 22, Nkisi Aroli St., Onitsha in Anambra following a downpour on Sept. 11.
The lawmaker said that many people were being displaced and roaming the streets without shelter and food due to frequent building collapse incidents in the state.
Egbuna also attributed the frequent incidents of building collapse to poor maintenance of drainage system, especially in the erosion prone areas.
“There is an existing gutter that directs rain water from Inland Town to Nkisi River.
“A section of that gutter, close to the building had earlier collapsed, thereby redirecting rain water to the base of the collapsed building and other buildings in the area.
“The redirected water created a huge gully at the base of the building which eventually led to its collapse.
“As I speak, more buildings are going to collapse, if nothing is done urgently.
“We are asking landlords and occupants to evacuate the affected areas to avert any casualty.
“We call for immediate action by the state government and other relevant agencies to also make arrangements for the displaced people as a result of the emergency evacuation.
“Right now, families, especially nursing mothers, children and the elderly, are roaming the streets without shelter, food and proper medical care.
“The situation can only get worse in this raining season,” Egbuna said.
Responding, Speaker of the House, Mr Uche Okafor, decried the rate at which lives and property were being lost due to menace of flood and poor drainage system.
Okafor said that people should support the government’s efforts by not building their houses on drainage system, and also desist from dumping refuse inside the drains.
“The effect of some of our people’s actions is what we are seeing now. The drains are blocked and buildings are collapsing.
“We, therefore, urge Gov. Willie Obiano to direct the Commissioners for Works, Housing and Environment, to immediately move in and commence assessment.
“He should also repair the section of the road that had been badly damaged by erosion.
“The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) should also be directed to make emergency arrangements to shelter and care for those who have been displaced by this unfortunate disaster,” the speaker said. (NAN)
– Sept. 18, 2019 @ 16:12 GMT |
Tags: Anambra Assembly tasks Gov Obiano on erosion control
