200 houses submerged in 6 Cross River communities

No fewer than 200 houses have either been submerged or washed away by erosion in six communities in the Calabar Municipality of Cross River State.

This was disclosed in Calabar by a female traditional ruler and the village head of Akai Efa in Calabar Municipality, Henrietta Efa Akpera.

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She said that many of the houses were situated in the ravine sites and on erosion routes.

She said the six affected communities are  Ikot Enebong, Akai Efa, Enima Omin, Goodluck Jonathan Bypass, Ekeya and Agiga.

Akpera, who spoke on behalf of other community leaders, said the communities have kicked against an alleged plan by the World Bank to stop funding of the erosion control work.

“About 200 houses have been affected, and in some cases, the entire communities such as mine is about to be completely ravaged by erosion menace.”

She explained that they were very happy when the World Bank intervened and work actually started in the many erosion sites in the communities.

According to her, they were surprised when suddenly the World Bank allegedly announced that they may stop further funding of the project without a clearer explanation.

Akpera frowned at the request and threat by the World Bank to stop the funding of the ongoing work.

She said the action of the bank amounts to robbing Paul to pay Peter.

“In 2017 a team of engineers visited our six communities to prepare designs for the states erosion sites.

“In January 2021 that the World Bank approved for the designs for the civil works to commence. But suddenly, on good authority, we were told that the World Bank has directed the Cross River State Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management to stop work and return the money so that it can be redeployed to other states.

“We have been alarmed over the volte-face.  It is unjust, inequitable and unfair, considering the very devastating state of our erosion sites which have claimed many lives and properties.”

Mr Francis Agaba, Senior Special Assistant to  Governor Ayade on NEWMAP, said he was not aware of the demand by the World Bank and would approach them immediately.

“The state government has paid its own counterpart funds and cannot understand why the sudden decision to withdraw.”

A youth leader in Akai Efa, James Akabom said the ravine started in 2019 after the construction of Okon Ekpo Crescent by the NDDC.

He said they did the road project without conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment and the road also had no gutters, which precipitated the ravine in the community.