The Cross River State House of Assembly has raised alarm over worsening gully erosion that has rendered thousands of residents homeless, urging immediate intervention from the Federal Government through the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).
The lawmakers, who decried the continued neglect of the areas including Ekenyong community in Calabar South Local Government Area, stated that the erosion has left constituents cut off from basic infrastructure and deprived of democratic dividends.
They stated this during plenary on Thursday following the motion sponsored by a Member representing Calabar South 2 Constituency, Victor Nsa, who highlighted the devastating impact of the erosion on residents.
He said “Despite our strong voting record, my people are left with no access roads, the erosion has become a nightmare, we are calling on the state government to prioritize the situation under the administration of Senator. Prince Bassey Edet Otu”
Nsa urged the governor to “write his name in gold” by not only addressing the erosion menace but also ensuring the provision of critical social amenities to the affected area.
Following a spot assessment of the erosion site, the Speaker of the House, Elvert Ayambem, reassured residents of the Assembly’s commitment to champion their cause. He emphasized that the House is fully aligned with the people’s struggles and vowed to press the executive arm for swift intervention.
“This House is committed to serving the people better,” the Speaker stated. “Whatever plagues this community is also a concern to us. We have seen it for ourselves and we’ll take it up with the Governor as we did with Nassarawa Bakoko, which is now witnessing transformation.”
On his part, the Village Head of Ekenyong, Austin David, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation, appealing for government support to complement the limited communal efforts already in place.
David thanked the Assembly for their swift response and expressed hope that the visit would yield real change for his community, which continues to bear the brunt of environmental degradation and infrastructural neglect.
