Senate Calls for Urgent Ecological Fund Release for Cross River

On October 13, the Senate called on the Federal Government to urgently release funds from the Ecological Fund to combat gully erosion and landslides affecting communities in Cross River South Senatorial District. This resolution followed a motion by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who highlighted the ecological emergency in Calabar and surrounding areas.

He identified affected communities, including Atakpa, Edim Otop, and Ikot Anwatim, and detailed the tragic consequences of recent landslides, which resulted in multiple fatalities, including five deaths in July 2026 and the death of an eight-year-old girl. Ekpenyong attributed the disasters to poor drainage design, rapid urbanization, and other environmental mismanagement issues.

He warned that delays in addressing the situation could lead to further loss of life and property. The Senate also directed relevant agencies to provide immediate assistance and implement erosion-control projects, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio mandating the Senate Committee on Environment to assess the situation and report back.