In a candid telephone interview with our associate editor, Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka, Dr. Okwudili Ezeike, a US-based attorney and public health expert, as well as the Ikeakachi 1st of Ekwulobia and Coordinator of Odimma Ekwulobia, a welfare organization, sounded the alarm over the devastating impact of erosion in Ekwulobia, Oko, and environs. Dr. Ezeike drew the attention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the urgent need for intervention, warning that the erosion menace will continue to cause untold hardship unless addressed.
Excerpts.
As a titleholder, can you describe the hazards caused by erosion in Ekwulobia and Okoh communities?
Erosion menace in the Ekwulobia/Oko axis has resulted in reduced agricultural productivity leading to food shortages, malnutrition and economic instability. The livelihood of many farmers and our rural communities have been decimated. Many families have been displaced and many rendered homeless because of the erosion.
The erosion has led to the increased risk of floods and landslides further displacing families and disrupting livelihoods.
As the coordinator of a welfare organization, Ekwulobia titleholder, attorney and public heath expert, can you speak more on the havoc being caused by the menace?
Because of limited supply of land in these communities, competition for scarce resources is prevalent and, in some circumstances, has led to increase in communal land conflicts. Last but not the least, the erosion menace has led to increased risk of diseases. In fact, anecdotal data show that among residents of these areas, there is some associated relationship between the increase in erosion devastation and increase in incidents of recorded waterborne diseases and respiratory illnesses due to contaminated water and air.
What efforts has the government made to control erosion in these areas, if yes, have these efforts been effective?
The State government has been providing interventions by way of construction of drainage channels in the affected communities. These immediate interventions have been lifesaving and a welcome development to the communities. In fact, without this state government efforts, it is safe to say, greater part of both Oko and Ekwulobia communities would have been completely wiped out.
What areas do you think the government should improve on to better control the erosion menace?
While acknowledging the enormous resources being channeled by the State government to solving the erosion menace in the area, there is further need for a comprehensive federal intervention to the problem. The federal government should declare an ecological state of emergency in the entire Old Aguata Local Area comprising current three local governments of Orumba South & North and Aguata Local government areas. The enormity of the erosion problem faced in this area requires the involvement and coordination among the different levels of government as well as international agencies. It is simply beyond what the state government could handle alone.
As there is no senator now, is the House of Representatives member utilizing constituency projects to address erosion in these communities and if so, how effective have these projects been?
Honestly, I am not aware of any direct constituency project geared towards reducing the erosion menace from the Hon Member representing Aguata Federal Constituency.
Have the local residents been obeying instructions to avoid encroaching and blocking drainage systems?
Of course, yes. In fact, the people have been at the fore front of efforts aimed at tackling the erosion menace. The people are engaged and willing to follow any given instruction. The issue is very concrete in their lives and as such, their buy in is a forgone conclusion.
As a US attorney, can you estimate the annual economic losses suffered by the communities due to erosion?
My guesstimate is that the loss experienced thus far runs into billions of Naira. There is every indication that numbers will only keep increasing unless the underlining issues associated with the erosion menace is addressed.
What advice would you give to authorities, such as President Tinubu, Governor Soludo, and the House of Representatives member, on addressing the erosion menace?
To the: President, please come to the assistance of our communities to help us stop this erosion menace. It may interest Mr. president to know that the country home of the former second citizen of Nigeria, Late Dr. Alex Ekwueme is currently under threat; Governor, I want to applaud all the efforts thus. The communities are very appreciative of all your efforts. Thank you so much; and Honorable House Member, we implore you to elevate this issue to your number one priority. Any efforts in alleviating the suffering of your constituents will be appreciated.
