The House of Representatives Member for Ideato North and Ideato South Federal constituency, Barr. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere has told Governor Hope Uzodinma to ensure that he has a sustainable plan to successfully address the life threatening Umuchima gully erosion in Ideato South as soon as possible, after telling the federal government to hand over the project to the Imo state government.
The federal law maker stated this on Wednesday, October,2, 2024 during a thorough inspection of the ongoing remedial work he facilitated at the gully erosion site.
Hon Ugochinyere, noted during the inspection tour that there are visible impacts since the federal government’s intervention at the site, adding that there is considerable progress at the site as the erosion has not added an inch since the remedial work commenced and people can now work inside the site which is just few minutes to the road.
He commended the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma for his resolve to take over the project from the Federal Government and link the road from Orlu to Orie Akokwa in order to address the erosion problem at the Orie Akokwa roundabout.
Ugochinyere however emphasized that it will be unforgivable and unacceptable to Ideato people if Governor Uzodinma abandons the project after urging the federal government to hand it over to the state government, adding that he started advocating for the project few years after Gov. Uzodinma flagged it off, yet nothing was done.
His words “We received news that the state government is interested in this project. This is one of the things we have been praying for. It is not my job as a lawmaker to get involved in road construction. I do representation and lawmaking. It is because the state and federal government abandoned this project overtime that made me to seek the attention of the federal government that has awarded the contract to Rockview and the contractor has been doing a great job since then.
“Ideato people will not want a situation where the contractors from the federal government will stop doing the good work that they are currently doing here, going by the intervention of the state government and nothing happens till December and then the rainy season comes to affect the good work done so far.
“It is good news if the governor quickly starts and completes the projects but it will be bad news if the federal government contractors demobilize and stop working, then in a few weeks time, we come here to see no visible work, instead people are still coming to draw lines and point at the gully. We want the filling up to start immediately and the road to be constructed so that we will recover this place completely.
“Now that the governor has resolved to do what he ought to have done three to four years ago. Mr. Governor make sure you finish the work timely. People are already doing the work. Make sure you have a sustainable plan to finish the work on time. We shall not drag sites with anyone. As long as the federal government says we should step aside, we will”.
He appreciated president Bola Armed Tinubu and the Works Minister, Engr. Dave Umahi for keeping to their words of recovering the Umuchima gully erosion site.
Ugochinyere emphasized that what is important to Ideato people is to have Umuchima gully erosion fixed not who fixes it, adding that Ideato people have the right to enjoy access to this road by having this erosion problem fixed and don’t care whether it is the state government or federal government that executes the project.
He appreciated the Umuchima and Ideato South people for their patience and the support given to the men at the site. He lamented the ravages and suffering encountered by the people of Ideato South as a result of the erosion, recalling the collapse and consumption of many houses and shops in Umuchima community.
He however noted with despair that the speed of work at the site may be slowed temporarily but maintained that Ideato people will not forgive Gov. Uzodinma if he abandons the Umuchima gully erosion site after chasing away the federal government that has already started good work.
After the inspection tour, Umuchima community leaders gathered to appreciate Ugochinyere for his timely intervention which brought about quick response from the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Works.
