By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Cross River State government has identified heavy rainfall, slope overloading, erosion, and various human activities, as key factors contributing to the landslides recently recorded in the state.
Cross River State Commissioner for Environment, Barr. Bassey Mensah, stated this during an on-the-spot assessment of landslide-prone areas in Calabar, the state capital, and Akpabuyo local government area, respectively, on Tuesday.
The inspection followed his deployment from the Ministry of Water Resources to the Environment Ministry by the state Governor, Bassey Otu.
It would be recalled that the Anansa Road and Obutong community in the Calabar metropolis was recently hit by landslide. No life was however lost in the incident.
Speaking during the inspection, Mensah stated that the Ministry will collaborate closely with technical experts to develop and implement appropriate interventions aimed at preventing further damage.
He said the aim of the inspection was to evaluate the scale of environmental degradation and the extent of damage caused by recent landslides.
Mensah also expressed deep concern over the extent of damage of the landslide, stressing the urgent need for remedial action to safeguard lives and property.
He commended the state governor for his unwavering commitment to strengthening environmental management in the state, pledging to give his best in delivering on the administration’s environmental agenda.
Also inspected by the commissioner was the ongoing desilting of a major drainage along the Murtala Muhammed Highway by the West African People’s Institute (WAPI) junction, designed to channel surface runoff into Channel One, as well as the gully erosion site at Ikot Offiong Mbiang in Akpabuyo local government area of the state.
Daylightreporters reported that the Commissioner was accompanied on the inspection by management staff of the Ministry of Environment and officials from the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).
