A civil society organization, the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, has urged the Delta State government led by Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and all relevant authorities to immediately intervene in the rapidly deteriorating environmental situation of gully erosion ravaging Umuti-Aboh community in the Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State.

The National Coordinator of CEPEJ, Comrade (Chief) Sheriff Mulade Ph.D, made the urgent call at the Center's headquarters in Warri, Delta State.

According to Mulade, Umuti-Aboh is in a grip of severe and expanding gully erosion that has already submerged residential homes, destroyed farmlands, livelihoods and displaced hundreds of residents in the community.

The National Coordinator noted that the disaster is no longer a gradual environmental concern, but a full-blown humanitarian emergency that requires urgent government attention at the Federal, State, and Local Government levels in order to save lives.

The Center expresses its deep concern over the escalating crisis and urgently called on the Federal Government, Delta State Government, Ndokwa East Local Government Council, NEMA, and SEMA to immediately deploy resources and emergency response teams to Umuti-Aboh.

Mulade also called for the provision of emergency evacuation and shelter, food supplies, clean water, medical aid, and provide temporary relocation support for affected families already displaced.

The NGO emphasizes the necessity of a well structured and remedial action to prevent total collapse of the community through construction of erosion control structures (drainage systems, retaining walls, and engineered barriers), community resettlement and rehabilitation programmes, and sustainable environmental restoration and management.

In addition, CEPEJ urged relevant stakeholders to rescue Umuti-Aboh community and to provide assistance, such as emergency relief materials to affected families, deployment of experts to assess and address the erosion, and the development of a comprehensive plan for community relocation and rehabilitation, all in a bid to mitigate the effects of the natural disaster. 

He said, "The NGO respectfully also appeal to His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori, Executive Governor, Delta State, Executive Chairman, Ndokwa East Local Government Council, Sen. Ned Nwoko, Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, Member, House of Representatives, Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency and Hon. Member, representing Ndokwa East Constituency, Delta State House of Assembly to intervene in order to address this crisis and secure the future of Umuti-Aboh Community.

"Umuti-Aboh Community is at the brink of total collapse. The lives, safety, and future of its people hang in the balance. I therefore urge all stakeholders, public and private, to rise to this critical moment and support efforts to mitigate the devastating effects of this natural disaster," Mulade said, and added that, "failure to act swiftly may result in irreversible damage, further displacement of families, and loss of lives and heritage. Let's Act Now!"

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