Members of the Cross River State House of Assembly have called on the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) to address the pressing issue of gully erosion that is endangering several communities within the state.
A motion sponsored by Victor Nsa, the representative for the Calabar South 2 State constituency, highlighted a particularly severe site of erosion that threatens to isolate the Ekpenyong community from the rest of the state.
Nsa, who urged for immediate government intervention, explained that the gully erosion had already severed the community’s access to the major road that links it to other parts of the constituency.
He expressed deep concern over the situation, stressing the urgency of resolving it for the well-being of the affected residents.
“The people of the Ekpenyong community have no access road because of the gully erosion threatening that community. They have been cut off, and it is a worrisome situation considering the population of that community,” Nsa remarked.
He went on to implore the state administration under Prince Bassey Otu to take swift action in addressing the gully erosion issue across the state, with the help of relevant Nigerian government agencies, and to provide essential social amenities for the people.
In the meantime, Elvert Ayambem, the Speaker of the Cross River State Assembly, visited the site along with other legislators to assess the damage.
During the visit, Ayambem urged residents to remain patient as the current administration works to resolve the issue.
He assured them of the Assembly’s commitment to improving the lives of the people, saying, “Whatever is plaguing this community is equally plaguing the House of Assembly. We resolved to come see the site firsthand and assess how it has affected this community.”
Ayambem further pledged to liaise with Governor Otu for an urgent intervention, pointing to the successful efforts made during a previous visit to Nassarawa-Bakoko in Calabar Municipality, which has since seen significant improvements.
Austin David, the traditional leader of the Ekpenyong community, expressed his concern for the potential isolation of the area from the rest of the state and country.
He reminded officials of the community’s past attempts to mitigate the erosion but noted that these efforts had been insufficient.
David expressed hope that with the support of NEWMAP and the Nigerian government, the issue would finally be addressed.
