Abia Assembly intervenes as erosion threatens Ebem Ohafia Community

Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, has raised serious concern over severe erosion threatening several parts of Ebem Ohafia in Ohafia Local Government Area, including the palace of the community’s paramount ruler, Ezie Ukoha Kalu Ukoha.

The Speaker has directed the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Hon. Kalu Mba Nwoke, to lead an on-the-spot assessment of the affected sites. The directive followed a motion of urgent public importance raised by Nwoke, who represents Ohafia South constituency, during a recent plenary session.

According to Hon. Nwoke, at least eight key locations are under immediate threat, including the rear of the police divisional headquarters in Ebem Ohafia, Mben Hospital, and five other critical sites. He warned that the escalating erosion, worsened by ongoing rainfall, could soon lead to widespread disaster.

“These areas are collapsing rapidly, especially with the intensifying rainfall. The danger is growing by the day,” Nwoke cautioned. “If left unchecked, the erosion could wipe out the entire community.”

The matter also gained public attention following an alarm raised by the Publicity Secretary of the Ebem Ohafia Development Union, Ifeanyi Okali.

In response, the House tasked its Environment Committee to collaborate with relevant state and federal agencies to develop a comprehensive erosion control and intervention plan for Ebem Ohafia and other similarly affected communities across the state.

The House has now formally referred the matter to the Committee on Environment for legislative review and urgent field assessment.