Federal Government Acts to Combat Erosion Threatening Calabar

The federal government has launched an emergency intervention in Calabar, Cross River State, due to a worsening erosion crisis threatening vital national infrastructure, specifically the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory base and a Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) jetty. This situation has been classified as a major ecological emergency with significant implications for national security and the livelihoods of local communities.

The intervention will be coordinated by the Ecological Project Office (EPO) in collaboration with the Cross River State Ministry of Environment. The crisis was triggered by the collapse of the Channel 2 underground drainage system along Anansa Road, leading to severe erosion and flooding.

Dr Aishetu Mohammed, the Permanent Secretary of the EPO, stated that the first phase will involve a joint technical assessment to identify the causes and recommend sustainable solutions. The government plans to engage naval authorities due to the security risks posed to NNS Victory and will utilize advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to inform their response.