. Seeks urgent Fed intervention

ABUJA – The Senator representing Edo Central, Joseph Ikpea, has called for urgent federal intervention to address what he described as worsening ecological disaster threatening communities across Esan land.

Moving a motion on the floor of the Senate titled “Urgent Need for Immediate Federal Intervention to Address Escalating Ecological Degradation Across Esan Land in Edo Central Senatorial District,” Ikpea warned that unchecked erosion, flooding, and deforestation are already destroying livelihoods, infrastructure, and settlements.

He said that Esan land, which lies within a fragile ecological belt of rainforest and derived savanna, is naturally prone to erosion due to its terrain, but noted that human activities have significantly worsened the situation.

According to him, major erosion sites such as the Ewu gully erosion zone in Esan Central and the Ukhun–Emaudo corridor in Esan West have expanded dangerously, cutting off roads, destroying farmlands, and threatening residential communities.

He also raised concerns over persistent flooding around the Ambrose Alli University axis in Ekpoma, which has led to displacement and disruption of academic and community life.

Senator Ikpea further blamed deforestation and unchecked agricultural expansion for accelerating land degradation, warning that continued environmental damage could trigger wider social and economic consequences.

He lamented what he described as inadequate response from federal agencies, including the Ecological Fund Office, the Federal Ministry of Environment, NEMA, and NEWMAP, despite repeated assessments of the affected areas.

“If people lose their farmlands and livelihoods, poverty increases, and where there is poverty, insecurity becomes inevitable,” he warned, stressing that Esan communities are heavily dependent on agriculture.

The motion, which had been pending since last year, eventually received unanimous support in the Senate, with lawmakers describing erosion as a national challenge affecting multiple regions.