State govt deploys swamp buggy in massive drainage desilting

The Cross River State Deputy Governor, Peter Odey, has lamented the devastating mudslides that have continued to wreak havoc across parts of the State, calling for urgent intervention by the Federal Government to avert an impending ecological disaster.

Describing the latest incident at Diamond Hill, near the Calabar Jetty, as a grim reminder of the state’s environmental vulnerability, Odey said the magnitude of the destruction has surpassed the state’s capacity and requires immediate deployment of federal technical expertise and ecological resources. He spoke on Tuesday while inspecting the affected site following Monday’s torrential rainfall.
 
The deputy governor, who directed the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure to immediately mobilise to the site, said the visit was aimed at conducting a firsthand assessment of the disaster and initiating emergency measures to prevent further deterioration.
 
“We received reports of this landslide after yesterday’s heavy rainfall, and it became necessary for us to come here and see things for ourselves. We have directed the Commissioner for Works to mobilise immediately because government cannot afford to delay in responding to a disaster of this magnitude. Our priority is to secure the area, prevent further destruction and protect life and property,” Odey stated.
 
While commending the swift response of relevant agencies, Odey disclosed that officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), currently in Cross River State, had already visited the scene, stressing that close collaboration between the state and the Federal Government would be indispensable in tackling the crisis.
 
“We have about 14 directors from NEMA currently in Cross River State, and I have been informed they have already inspected this site. I will be meeting with them in my office, and we may return here together because this is a challenge that requires genuine collaboration between the Cross River State Government and the Federal Government. It is beyond what any single institution can effectively handle.”

Meanwhile, the Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA) has intensified massive desilting and opening of drainages across Calabar Metropolis and adjoining areas as part of urgent measures to address flooding in the state capital.

The Executive Secretary of CUDA, Dr Ayi Effiong, disclosed this during an inspection of ongoing works at Efut Effio-Ene Community, where Channel 1, one of the major flood channels in the city, empties into the river.
 
Dr Ayi said the intervention became necessary following a flood warning from NEMA, which listed Calabar as one of the cities prone to flooding this year.
 
“By the grace of God, I was appointed to oversee the urban areas which include Calabar Metropolis, Calabar South, Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Akamkpa and Biase Local Council Areas as my catchment zone. When NEMA gave the warning, I immediately communicated to the governor, and we received the marching order to start minor desilting of the trenches,” he said.
 
According to him, the exercise began from 8 Miles and progressed to Channel 1 Main, ending at Ebito. He explained that the team had to move to the current site because runoff from MCC and over 40 metres of drainage channels empty into the area, which had not been desilted in over 15 years, according to residents.
 
To tackle the challenge, CUDA has deployed a 150-metre swamp buggy for mechanised desilting.