The House of Representatives has urged the federal government to declare a state of emergency on environmental degradation in Edo.

This followed the adoption of a motion by Rep. Anamero Dekeri (PDP-Edo) at plenary on Thursday.

Moving the motion, Mr Dekeri said the increasing rate of environmental degradation in Etsako Federal Constituency was alarming.

He said the degradation caused by rainstorms and gully erosion had destroyed lives and property, including farmlands, and rendered some areas inaccessible.

The lawmaker said the bridge connecting Iddo-Okugbe with the Awuyemi community had been washed away after a rainstorm in Okpella.

“Electric poles and communication routes connecting parts of the state to the other parts of the country are not left out,” he said.

Mr Dekeri said there were many cases of gully erosion in the state’s Etsako West Local Government Area, posing significant danger to lives and property.

He also said erosion had cut off the Auchi- Agenebode federal highway.

“There is a need to stem this ugly trend of environmental degradation in Etsako Federal Constituency, Edo,” he said.

The house urged the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to replace the damaged electric poles, wires and other components and reconnect the affected communities to the national grid.

The lawmakers also urged the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to intervene and reconstruct the affected bridge to allow immediate access by vehicles and commuters to other parts of the country.

They also urged the Ministry of Works to compel the road project contractor to resume work without delay.

The house further urged the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials to the affected communities.

In his ruling, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu mandated the House Committees on Ecological Fund, FERMA, NEMA, and REA to ensure compliance and to report back within four weeks.

(NAN)