Otu Seeks FG Support over Calabar Landslide

Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has called for greater Federal Government intervention to tackle the landslide along Anansa Street in Calabar, describing the scale of the disaster as beyond the state government’s capacity.

Otu made the call on Monday while inspecting the landslide site and the scene of a tanker crash at Odukpani, on the outskirts of Calabar, as part of efforts to assess the impact of the incidents and determine appropriate responses.

At the Odukpani tanker crash site, the governor commended the local government chairman, residents and other stakeholders for their prompt response and efforts to assist those affected. He also sympathised with shop owners whose businesses were impacted by the tanker fire.

Otu said emergency responses should go beyond addressing the immediate effects of such incidents and should also tackle underlying vulnerabilities that could expose communities to similar disasters in the future.

He assured affected residents that his administration would continue working to protect lives, support vulnerable people and respond to emerging environmental and public safety challenges.

At the Anansa Street landslide site, the governor directed relevant authorities to continue technical and institutional assessments. He said any permanent solution must be based on credible engineering studies and designed to withstand the environmental factors contributing to the landslide.

Otu said the state government had been working with relevant agencies and technical experts but needed additional support because of the scale of the disaster.

He disclosed that the Federal Government had already deployed two teams to the area through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. According to him, President Bola Tinubu had also directed a team to visit the affected location and assess the situation.

The governor said the Federal Government’s involvement would complement the measures being taken by the state and provide additional technical capacity needed to develop a lasting solution.

Otu attributed part of the worsening situation to prolonged rainfall and the broader effects of climate change. He noted that the persistent rainfall had also made it difficult for engineers and other specialists to carry out some aspects of the intervention.

The governor expressed hope that the receding rains would create better conditions for more extensive engineering work. He said additional engineers and specialists would be brought in to evaluate the work already done and determine the most suitable long-term solution to the landslide.