Umeh Seeks Disaster Zone Status for Idemili Basin Over Worsening Erosion
By Chibuzo Obidike
The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Victor Umeh, has called on the Federal Government to declare the Idemili Basin an Environmental Disaster Zone following the alarming spread of erosion and flooding threatening communities in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Umeh made the call on Saturday, August 15, 2026, during an on the spot assessment of severely affected areas in Obosi and Ogidi, where he witnessed the devastating impact of erosion on roads, farmlands, properties and residential areas.
At Ugamuma, Obosi, the Senator was confronted by distressed residents, particularly women, who appealed for urgent government intervention as the expanding gully threatens houses and livelihoods. The scale of the erosion, Umeh said, had reached a critical stage that could no longer be treated as an ordinary environmental challenge.
Describing the situation as a terrifying landslide and natural disaster, Umeh said urgent federal intervention was needed to prevent loss of lives, destruction of property and further displacement of residents.
“The Federal Government needs to declare the Idemili Basin an Environmental Disaster Zone because of the recurring flooding and erosion threatening the people.”
The Senator commended the NDC House of Representatives candidate for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Eric Anyamene, for drawing attention to the crisis and deploying personal resources to provide palliative measures, including the tarring of an affected road.
Umeh assured the people that he would raise the matter at the National Assembly when the Senate resumes from recess and engage relevant federal agencies to secure emergency assistance as well as pursue a permanent solution to the recurring environmental disaster.
Earlier, the Obosi Traditional Council, represented by Chief Okey Mgbemena, and the President General of Obosi, Barr. Chimezie Obi, thanked Senator Umeh for responding promptly to the community’s distress call. They also appealed for urgent intervention to prevent the worsening erosion from consuming more homes, roads and livelihoods.
For residents of the affected communities, the message from the senator was clear: the Idemili Basin can no longer wait for another disaster before decisive action is taken.
