Senate Seeks Emergency Funds to Tackle Erosion in Cross River

The Senate has called on the Federal Government to urgently release funds from the Ecological Fund to combat severe gully erosion and landslides threatening communities in Cross River State.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South, who drew attention to recurring environmental disasters in Calabar and neighbouring communities.

The Senate identified Atakpa, Edim Otop, Ikot Effangha Mkpa, Nyaghasang, Ikot Anwatim, Nasarawa/Bacoco, Akai Effa, Bayside and Summit Hills among the affected locations. Residents of Anansa were also reported to be facing continuing landslide threats, property damage and displacement.

The lawmakers expressed particular concern over a landslide at Ikot Anwatim in July 2026 that killed five people, including four siblings from the same family, destroyed two houses and injured two other residents.

Another landslide at Edim Otop reportedly claimed the life of an eight-year-old girl.

The Senate warned that continued slope failures posed a serious risk to lives, homes and livelihoods unless urgent protective measures were implemented.

It attributed the worsening erosion partly to heavy rainfall, loose sandy soils, high groundwater levels and the area's undulating terrain. Poorly designed drainage systems, blocked drains, rapid urbanisation, indiscriminate waste disposal, unregulated sand mining, vegetation removal and damage to drainage infrastructure were also identified as contributing factors.

The chamber cautioned that isolated remedial projects without coordinated watershed management could transfer erosion risks to neighbouring communities rather than provide lasting solutions.

Consequently, it urged the Federal Government to approve and release adequate Ecological Fund resources for emergency stabilisation and comprehensive erosion-control projects, prioritising communities where lives had been lost and residents remained at immediate risk.

The Senate also called on the Federal Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Cross River State Government and relevant agencies, to assess the most dangerous locations and commence urgent protective works.

The National Emergency Management Agency was asked to work with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency and affected local councils to provide temporary shelter, food, medical care and psychosocial support to bereaved and displaced families.

The agencies were further urged to facilitate the safe evacuation and temporary relocation of residents facing imminent danger, establish effective early-warning systems and monitor unstable locations.

The chamber called on the Federal Ministries of Environment and Works to prioritise funding for erosion-control projects in the state, stressing that interventions should be supported by proper geotechnical and hydrological assessments, sound engineering designs and adequate environmental safeguards.

To strengthen oversight, the Senate directed its Committee on Environment to visit the affected communities, assess existing interventions, engage relevant agencies on funding and implementation, and submit recommendations for further legislative action.

The lawmakers said urgent, coordinated intervention was necessary to prevent further casualties, protect vulnerable communities and address the long-term environmental challenges confronting Cross River State.