It was a sigh of relief and endorsement as the Bende Federal constituency Labour Party, LP hopeful, Desmond Anyaso pulled the Abia State Government to inspect twin massive gully erosion ravaging the Uzuakoli communities of Amamba, Ngwu, Amankwo, Agbozu and Eluama.
Moved by compassion as the five Uzuakoli communities pleaded with the federal government, Abia State and Bende LGA authority to intervene as the massive erosion sites devastate their communities, Desmond Anyaso on Friday literally dragged the state government through the state Ministry of Environment to inspect the sight and hand down an assurance of mitigating the impact.
Speaking at both sites of the gully erosion in Amamba, Anyaso thanked the state governor, Alex Otti for his quick response to the plea of the communities through the assurance that he will do something.
According to him, “Gov. Otti is also not for politics, but for development governance and does not want to develop only Isialangwa, but all Abia State, and cited the rehabilitation of Umuahia – Uzuakoli – Abiriba – Ohafia – Arochukwu stretch of road by Gov. Otti, stating, “he has done much and has done well”.
Anyaso who was in company of the Commissioner for Environment Philemon Asonye and other government officials, pointed out, “I am not here for politics like other people in the past.
“Politics is a game of performance. What is important is what you can do for your people. We are here because we want to serve”, and pleaded with Uzuakoli people to support the Labour Party, Gov. Alex Otti and his political ambition.
According to him, “we are not here for window display or camouflage. What is worth doing, is worth doing well. Otti does good works”.
He disclosed that the visit was following media reports and emissaries sent by the Uzuakoli people to him to use his position as an in-coming House of Representatives member to help them.
He thanked the Uzuakoli people for their understanding and patience with the state government, and the governor for a swift intervention on the erosion sites, stating, “Otti is not a governor of empty promises. If he can do it at Ovom in Aba, he will do it for the people of Bende”, and called for prayers for God to keep Gov. OttI alive to do more.
While assuring Otti 100% votes, come 2027 elections, and the people of more when elected, said he will do more than mere erosion control for them as “there are other challenges”.
In his speech at the sites, the state Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Asonye said, “the situation is seriously devastating”, informing that Otti made a commitment, “hence our response”.
He described Anyaso as “a leader by example precepts” and on whose instance the state governor, Alex Otti has directed the inspection, stating, “in no distant time from now, work will commence on the erosion site”, which he described as “frightening and threatening”.
He said the state government is aware of the erosion sites, having visited on July 6th to access the situation, assuring that the state government will tackle the erosion site like it did with Ovom erosion site.
He further disclosed that the inspection was on Otti’s directive and advised the people to stay away from the ravaging erosion site, warning, “we can recover the erosion sites, but cannot recover any one who died there”.
Earlier in the palace of the Paramount Ruler, HRM Eze Kanu O. Ikonte, the Ozuo II of Uzuakoli, the Uzuakoli people passed a vote of confidence on Desmond Anyaso.
Speaking, the President General of Uzuakoli and State Deputy Chairman of the Labour Party, Prince Ikechukwu Chigozie, and the Traditional Prime Minister, Apostle Moses Alaukwu thanked Desmond Anyaso over the gesture, and assured him of the support of the community.
