Senate demands emergency Ecological Fund release for Cross River erosion following tragic deaths and home destruction.
The Nigerian Senate has urgently called on the Federal Government to release emergency funds from the Ecological Fund. This financial intervention aims to tackle deadly gully erosion and landslides affecting communities in Cross River South, according to information published by punchng.
The legislative action follows a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, which drew national attention to a severe environmental crisis. Recurring erosion and landslides in Calabar and surrounding areas continue to threaten human lives, private homes, and critical local infrastructure.
Lawmakers expressed deep concern over the humanitarian emergency, noting that slope failures have already claimed multiple lives. The chamber is now pushing for coordinated watershed management and immediate protective works to prevent further regional casualties.
Deadly Landslide Incidents in Cross River
The legislative chamber highlighted several tragic incidents, including a devastating landslide at Ikot Anwatim in July 2026. That disaster claimed the lives of five people, which tragically included four siblings from the same family alongside an adult.
The severe weather event also destroyed two residential houses and left two other residents injured. In a separate tragic event in Edim Otop, an eight-year-old girl lost her life during a sudden landslide, prompting urgent safety warnings from lawmakers.
At-risk locations identified by the Senate span across Atakpa, Edim Otop, Ikot Effangha Mkpa, Nyaghasang, and Ikot Anwatim. Other vulnerable zones include Nasarawa or Bacoco, Akai Effa, Bayside, Summit Hills, and Anansa, where ongoing landslide activity continues to displace residents.
Environmental and Structural Causes of Erosion
Lawmakers attributed the escalating crisis partly to regional terrain and environmental conditions. Heavy rainfall, loose sandy soils, high groundwater levels in low-lying areas, and an undulating landscape between the Calabar and Great Kwa river systems aggravate the instability.
Human activities also significantly worsen the environmental damage. The Senate identified poorly designed drainage systems, blocked drains, rapid urbanisation, indiscriminate waste disposal, unregulated sand mining, vegetation removal, and the vandalism of drainage infrastructure as key aggravating factors.
Without a comprehensive watershed management plan, isolated interventions risk shifting the danger to neighboring communities. Therefore, the upper legislative chamber insists on sound engineering designs backed by proper geotechnical and hydrological assessments for all future projects.
Emergency Federal and State Interventions
The Senate urged the Federal Government to approve and release adequate funds for emergency stabilisation and comprehensive control. Priority will go directly to communities where lives have been lost and residents remain at immediate risk of further disasters.
The Federal Ministry of Environment must collaborate with the Cross River State Government to assess dangerous sites and begin emergency protective works. Additionally, the National Emergency Management Agency was tasked with providing temporary shelter, food, medical care, and psychosocial support.
To ensure strict accountability, the Senate mandated its Committee on Environment to visit affected areas, assess existing interventions, and report back with actionable recommendations. The Federal Ministries of Environment and Works were also advised to prioritise long-term funding for regional control projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Senate seek emergency funds for Cross River?
The Senate acted after deadly gully erosion and landslides in Cross River South caused multiple fatalities, including five deaths in Ikot Anwatim and an eight-year-old child in Edim Otop, alongside widespread home destruction.
Which communities are most affected by the Cross River erosion?
Affected locations include Atakpa, Edim Otop, Ikot Effangha Mkpa, Nyaghasang, Ikot Anwatim, Nasarawa or Bacoco, Akai Effa, Bayside, Summit Hills, and Anansa, where continuous landslides have displaced local residents.
What factors are worsening the erosion crisis in Calabar?
The crisis is driven by heavy rainfall, loose sandy soils, high groundwater levels, poor drainage systems, rapid urbanisation, unregulated sand mining, vegetation removal, and the vandalism of local drainage infrastructure.
What agencies are involved in the emergency relief efforts?
The Federal Ministry of Environment, the Cross River State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency, and the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency are tasked with relief, evacuation, and protective works.
