The Pan-Ejagham Union, a Calabar based socio- cultural organisation has called on the Cross River State Government and federal agencies to urgently intervene in the worsening gully erosion  at the MCC / Tank Road axis in Calabar Municipality, saying lives and property are at risk.

The call was made on Thursday during a solidarity visit by the Union to its member, Asikpo Bassey,  an Estate Surveyor Valuer (ESV) whose residence, a new storey building and a detachable bungalow was  partially collapsed by erosion, displacing his family.

Leading the delegation, chairman of the union, Ntufam (Engr.) Etim Solomon Edet described the level of destruction as alarming and unacceptable. He”expressed deep concern over the disaster and pledged the union’s support to the victim.

“This is not just about one house. This is about an entire community living on the edge. Gully erosion is displacing families and putting lives at risk every rainy season,”  Edet said.

He said erosion has become a recurring threat to coastal communities in Calabar, worsened by poor drainage, unplanned development, and climate change.

Edet urged the Cross River State Government, Federal Ministry of Environment, and Ecological Fund Office to deploy emergency measures to the area.

As a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers, NICE, Edet, called on the state government to direct CRS-NEWMAP-EIB and the Ministry of Works & Infrastructure to execute emergency containment and stormwater diversion works at the Diamond site without delay.

He also called on the government to authorize immediate security cordoning of the gully edge by relevant public safety authorities as well as  approve the deployment of specialized erosion control resources to prevent complete severance of the remaining waterfront structures.

Specifically, Edet called for proper channelization of waterways, construction of retaining walls, and long-term engineering solutions to check the menace in Calabar metropolis and other vulnerable communities.

“We cannot continue to watch our people lose their life savings to erosion. Government must treat this as an emergency. The rainy season is here and the risk is increasing by the day,” he stressed.

The affected member, Engr. Asikpo Bassey, told the delegation that his compound have caved in, forcing them to relocate belongings.

“My house is badly affected. This has forced me and my family to relocate, I built the house just three months ago with all my life saving and now I have lost everything, We need government to come to our rescue, we lose everything,” he appealed”.

Community members who spoke during the visit also lamented the worsening erosion, saying movement within the area has become dangerous due to deep gullies.

The Union pledged to continue advocating for victims of erosion across the state and to engage relevant authorities until permanent solutions are provided.

“We stand with our brother and all families affected. We will not relent until government brings lasting solutions to this problem,” Edet assured.

To arrest further collapse, safeguard human lives, and restore structural stability along the affected corridor.