Igalaland facing ecological challange – Lawmaker

By Kingsley Fanwo

The lawmaker representing Ankpa Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Rabiu Isiaka Alfa Momoh has called on the Federal Government to save Igalaland from the ecological problem that is threatening the area.

Momoh who doubles as the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment and Physical Development told Vanguard that if urgent measures are not taken, ecological problems are capable of cutting Igalaland from the rest of the nation. He said it is imperative for government to ensure drastic measures are put in place to stem the tide.

According to the lawmaker, little publicity has been given to the ecological challenge in the state, a situation he said his committee will strive to redress. He said from Ejule to Egume and Okpo, erosion has been been cutting many communities off. Momoh also acknowledged the fact that the problem is all over the state.

“What we have in our hands in Kogi East is a case that requires the intervention of the Federal Government and even the international community. Though the State Government is expected to continue to play its role, but we are not oblivion of the limitation of the State Government in this case. Many communities have been cut-off by erosion and this season has really worsen the situation.

“The House Committee on Environment and Physical Development will continue to work with the State Government to appreciate the degree of threat posed to the state as a whole by environmental degradation and erosion. The problem is all over the state. The state capital is one of the worst hit by the problem. We call on all concerned authorities to come to our aid”, he appealed.

Speaking in the same vein, the House Member representing Yagba East Constituency, Hon. Musa Jimoh Omiata also raised alarm over ecological challenges in his constituency. He called for a holistic approach to avert the looming danger posed by erosion in the state.

In his words: “Ecological problems are everywhere in Yagba land. Yagba East has been seriously affected. I want to call on the State and Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the problem in order to save our environment from the effects of degradation and erosion. The State Government should also embark on rigorous enlightenment to sensitize the people on the problems caused by some of their activities to the environment’, he said.

When contacted for comments, Kogi State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Steven Tayo Aremu said the State Government is committed to ensuring a habitable environment for all. He said the administration of Capt. Idris Wada has invested on making the environment more habitable than any previous administration in the state.

According to the commissioner, the State Government is determined to contribute to ensuring ecological problems are tackled. He said works are ongoing in many sites across the state to deal with ecological challenges.