By Awyetu Asabe Hope
The Senate has urged the Federal Government to release emergency funds from the Ecological Fund to tackle gully erosion and landslides in Cross River South following multiple deaths, destruction of homes and displacement of residents.
The call followed a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong on Tuesday, highlighting the worsening erosion crisis in Calabar and neighbouring communities.
Affected areas include Atakpa, Edim Otop, Ikot Effangha Mkpa, Nyaghasang, Ikot Anwatim, Nasarawa/Bacoco, Akai Effa, Bayside, Summit Hills and Anansa.
The Senate expressed concern over recurring landslides, warning that continued slope failures posed a serious risk to lives, property and livelihoods.
It cited a July 2026 landslide in Ikot Anwatim that killed five people, including four siblings, destroyed two houses and injured two residents. An eight-year-old girl was also reportedly killed in a separate landslide at Edim Otop.
The lawmakers attributed the crisis to heavy rainfall, loose sandy soils, high groundwater levels, poor drainage, rapid urbanisation, indiscriminate waste disposal, unregulated sand mining and vegetation removal.
They warned that isolated interventions without a coordinated watershed management plan could worsen erosion in neighbouring communities.
Consequently, the Senate urged the Federal Government to approve and release adequate funds from the Ecological Fund for emergency stabilisation and comprehensive erosion control, prioritising communities where lives have been lost and residents remain at risk.
It also called on the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Cross River State Government to assess high-risk locations and commence emergency protective works.
The National Emergency Management Agency was urged to work with its state counterpart and affected local councils to provide temporary shelter, food, medical care and psychosocial support for displaced residents and bereaved families.
The Senate further called for the evacuation and temporary relocation of residents in immediate danger, alongside early-warning systems and regular monitoring of unstable areas.
It directed its Committee on Environment to visit affected communities, assess existing interventions and engage relevant agencies on funding and implementation, before reporting back with recommendations for further legislative action.
The chamber stressed that lasting solutions must be supported by proper geotechnical and hydrological assessments, sound engineering designs and effective environmental safeguards to prevent further loss of lives and property.
