Cross River lawmakers raise alarm as erosion threatens Assembly

Panic has gripped the Cross River State House of Assembly as erosion and flood threaten to sack its residential quarters at Ekorinim and the Assembly office complex in Calabar.

The quarters, built in 1977, are now on the verge of collapse, 49 years after construction, after the erosion control infrastructure failed.

The matter was brought before the House as a matter of urgent public importance by Hon Linus Bassey, member representing Akamkpa II State Constituency.

Bassey said members, their families and staff now live in palpable fear as heavy downpour has become a daily occurrence in Calabar.

He disclosed that the perimeter fence protecting the quarters has been pulled down by flood, while a duplex behind the quarters and a nearby hospital structure have already collapsed.

He also alerted the House to a growing ravine around the quarters and a deep gully underneath the road at the main entrance of the Assembly complex which could collapse at any moment.

“The perimeter fence that previously prevented flood from entering the quarters has been pulled down by flood, while a duplex behind the quarters and a nearby hospital structure were recently collapsed by flood.

“There is a growing ravine around the quarters and a deep gully underneath the road at the main entrance of the Assembly complex which could collapse at any moment,” the lawmaker said.

The Leader of the House, Rt Hon Francis Bassey Asuquo, and other members unanimously supported the motion, describing it as a direct threat to their welfare and safety.

“What started as a very small narrow path has developed into a gully erosion site which keeps expanding. If nothing is urgently done, it will develop into something more devastating,” the House Leader said.

Speaker Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem described the motion as timely and said the welfare of legislators and Cross Riverians must be prioritised.

After plenary, lawmakers embarked on an oversight visit to the erosion site at Ekorinim and a landslide site at Anansa Road.

The Commissioner for Works, Mr Pius Edet, who joined the oversight team, lamented the deplorable condition and revealed that 75 erosion sites have been reported within Calabar metropolis due to constant heavy rainfall.

He assured of swift government intervention and called on relevant agencies to act as the damage is massive.

The House has called for urgent intervention by the state government to avert loss of lives and property.