The Nigerian Government has deployed technical teams to investigate and proffer a lasting solution to the massive landslide along Anansa Street in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
The governor of Cross River State in South-South Nigeria, Bassey Otu, who disclosed this while inspecting the affected area, described the situation as “extremely devastating.”
Governor Otu said that the state had commenced technical assessments, while the Nigerian Government also deployed two teams to examine the extent of the damage and determine appropriate interventions.
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“We have made several attempts to study exactly what is happening and determine the appropriate response. We already have what I would call studies that are ongoing. The Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government has put two teams on the ground,” he said.
The Governor said that the scale of the landslide required additional engineers and technical specialists, an intervention beyond the capacity of the state government.
“Clearly, this project is just bigger than the state. It is so huge,” Otu said.
He attributed the worsening situation partly to prolonged rainfall and the broader effects of climate change, which he said had also constrained some aspects of the technical intervention.
Otu expressed the optimism that a more comprehensive evaluation will begin as soon as the rain recedes to enable the experts properly assess the terrain and determine a durable solution.
“We can get some allowance for additional engineers to come in and see what we have done here and determine the appropriate long-term solution,” he said.
The governor directed that the technical and institutional assessments should continue, stressing that any permanent intervention must be based on credible engineering studies capable of tackling the factors causing the disaster.
Governor Otu also inspected the scene of the recent tanker fire in Odukpani, where he assured victims of the state government’s commitment to provide special intervention following the destruction of homes, shops and other means of livelihood in the inferno.
He commended residents and other stakeholders for their prompt response to the incident and expressed sympathy with those affected.
