Erosion threatens Gateway to Calabar (29/7/08)

The Cross River State Government has commenced rehabilitation work on the collapsing portion of the Murtala Mohammed Highway Calabar which stands the risk of being cut into two by erosion.

While fielding questions from pressmen at the Beebosco Bus stop, Ikot Anwatim, Calabar Municipality, the Commissioner for Works Hon Bassey Ekefre said though the state has solicited the intervention of the Federal government, immediate action has to be taken to save the road from eminent collapse.

According to Ekefre, government is also worried about the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) national grid located by the ravine which could be pulled down by erosion caused by the non completion of the water channel from the highway to the river.

Ekefre disclosed that while emergency work is being undertaken to tackle the erosion, construction of the channel, which carries rain water from adjoining communities to the river, will commence and l be completed in a matter of months.

The Commissioner revealed that boulders have been brought to site for the commencement of rehabilitation work which entails the construction of an embankment as it is government’s intention to save lives and ensure electricity supply to Calabar metropolis, Akpabuyo, Bakassi and some parts of Odukpani and Akamkpa Local government Areas is not affected.

He explained that the cost of tackling ecological problems in Calabar is high, and increasing with the rains. He added that one should bear in mind the location of Calabar which lies within the Rain Forest zone while the texture of its soil is not well compacted, explaining that rehabilitation work of that nature calls for bringing in good contractors.

Ekefre said while Arab Contractor will handle the reinforcement of the base of PHCN pylon line, others will construct the embankment and the channel.

The Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Julius Okputu, who accompanied Ekefre on the inspection, disclosed that there are 634 ecological problem sites in the state with 334 of that number requiring immediate attention.

Okputu explained that the problems with those sites is that when the rains come, they get aggravated and their cost of maintenance equally gets higher, listing prominent sites in Calabar to include Ikot Uduak, Edim Otop and Essien Town.

He said base on the high cost, the state has made some requisitions to the Federal Ministry of Works and that of Environment for assistance and intervention.

Investigations revealed that cracks are appearing on the highway as a result of under cutting from the ravine, and its widening of the ravine, the widening posing a threat to both the PHCN pilot conveying the national grid and the abandoned Nigerian Navy Hospital project which is about 100 metres away.

Government House Press