A group of community leaders from Arochukwu and Ohafia local government areas have commended the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Chief Ibe Okwara Osonwa for attracting the attention of the federal government to the gully erosion threatening Amaekpu, Elu, Ebem, Ndi Uduma Awoke, and other communities in Arochukwu and Ohafia local government areas of Abia State respectively.
The leaders under the aegis of Aro/Ohafia Solidarity Initiative in a statement signed by its Coordinators, Elder Kalu Ukpai (Ohafia) and Chief Kalu Kalu (Arochukwu), expressed delight that the lawmaker gave attention to the erosion menace ravaging the constituency which their representative brought before the green chamber by way of a motion.
The leaders said the lawmaker has proven himself as a worthy leader especially with his motion where he urged the federal government to urgently intervene on the erosion menace ravaging the Federal Constituency.
The statement reads in part: “Recall that on the 3rd of October, 2023, Chief Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa moved an important motion urging the federal government to urgently intervene in the flooding menace and resultant gully erosion in Amaekpu, Ebem, Nkporo, Ihechiowa, Abam, Arochukwu and Ututu communities of Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in Abia State.
“The House subsequently mandated the Ecological Fund Office and related agencies and Committee to carry out an impact assessment of the affected communities for a remediation plan, that would stem the tide of gully erosion in the affected areas.
“Also the House mandated the National Emergency Management Agency,(NEMA) to immediately send relief materials and also provide temporary homes to the victims of the menace of gully erosion as a palliative measure to ameliorate their plights.
” It further mandated its Committee on Environment to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Environment to ensure the supply of funds to address the ecological menace which Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa stressed was ravaging the Federal Constituency.
“We can authoritatively report that on the 18th of December, the ecological fund confirmed that it has been listed as part of the projects for 2024 in the just passed budget
“This menace of erosion is not only a grave danger to our homes, but it is also a menace affecting our livelihood and economic activities.
“Again, on the 25th of October, 2023, he moved a motion on the floor of the House of Representatives during plenary on the urgent need to establish a peacekeeping post between Isu Community of Arochukwu LGA and Utuma Community in Biase LGA of Cross Rivers State to institute peace over the long lasting boundary dispute which has affected these communities negatively.
“We reaffirming our unflinching support to him, we, the community leaders of Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency under the umbrella of Aro/Ohafia Solidarity Initiative sincerely commend Rep Ibe Okwara Osonwa for his all-inclusive approach and quality representation.”
