By ABUJA, July 30, 2026 — The Federal Government has come under renewed pressure to intervene in the worsening erosion crisis in Abia State, following an on-site assessment by officials of the Ecological Project Office, who inspected communities in Bende Local Government Area devastated by advancing gullies.
During the inspection, led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu, officials observed widespread destruction that has claimed more than 10 homes, displaced dozens of residents, and left critical infrastructure increasingly vulnerable.
The assessment team, led by the Director of Soil and Erosion Flood Control at the Ecological Project Office, B’aba Bomoi, visited Uzuakoli and Ozuitem communities on Wednesday to evaluate the extent of the damage and determine the level of federal intervention required.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by Kalu’s Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, residents told the visiting team that the erosion has continued to expand with each rainfall, destroying homes, cutting through roads, and swallowing farmlands that serve as the primary source of livelihood for many families.
The statement added that the advancing gullies now threaten several other buildings, including the residence of Ikenna Ariwodo, the Special Assistant on State Affairs in the Office of the Deputy Speaker.
Addressing the assessment team, Kalu described the situation as an ecological emergency that now exceeds the response capacity of the Abia State Government. He urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Ecological Project Office to expedite intervention to prevent further destruction and displacement.
The lawmaker, who represents Bende Federal Constituency, disclosed that he had previously requested federal intervention through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation when the erosion was considerably less severe. According to him, the affected corridor has now expanded to between four and five kilometres, making the estimates contained in the earlier proposal inadequate to address the current scale of destruction.
He said the rapid deterioration of the sites underscores the need for a fresh technical evaluation and a more comprehensive engineering solution capable of permanently addressing the problem.
Kalu also commended the Ecological Project Office for responding promptly to his request for an assessment, noting that the visit followed earlier consultations with the agency’s leadership. He maintained that although the Abia State Government could provide complementary support, the scope of the project requires direct intervention from the Federal Government because of its technical and financial demands.
Recalling previous federal intervention in Nkpa, following a motion he sponsored in the House of Representatives in 2019, Kalu expressed confidence that the Tinubu administration would similarly approve measures to tackle the erosion threatening Uzuakoli and Ozuitem communities.
During the inspection, Bomoi described the situation as both an environmental and humanitarian concern, warning that the advancing gullies pose significant risks to lives, residential properties and agricultural land. He noted that large portions of farmland had already been lost to erosion and stressed the need for urgent remedial works to prevent further encroachment on surrounding communities.
The latest inspection comes amid growing concerns among residents over the worsening environmental conditions. Women from the affected communities recently staged a peaceful protest, calling on government authorities to urgently intervene before more homes and livelihoods are lost.
Officials of the Ecological Project Office are expected to submit a technical assessment report to the Federal Government, which will guide decisions on the scope and implementation of the proposed intervention.
