Cross River Begins Desilting Of 4km Water Channels To Avert Flooding 

The Cross River State Government has started desilting runoff water channels to prevent flooding in the state capital once the rainy season intensifies.

The move follows a weather forecast by NiMet and the National Emergency management Agency (NEMA)that listed Cross River among states at risk of flooding.

Concerned by NiMet’s projection of a 30 per cent increase in flood risk for September and October 2026, the state government initiated the desilting of gutters in the capital to avoid excessive flooding.

Speaking on the issue, Executive Secretary of the Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA), Dr. Ayi Etim Effiong, said it has become necessary to desilt Channel One.

“Channel One begins from the Channel View Hotel axis and spans to Target by Goldie axis, Mayne Avenue, Yellow Duke, UNICROSS and empties into the Calabar sea.This is the second desilting we are conducting here,” Dr. Effiong stated. “To support residents whose buildings were pulled down by runoff or flood water, we erected the broken wall of a 90-year-old woman, Deaconess Eso Ekpeyong.”

He added, “We are opening up the bridges and the drainages. Without opening up the drainages, the amount of water that will flow from them will not have free access to the ravine and subsequently into the river.

That is why we are here, on the directive of Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, who in his magnanimity said we should carry out a mechanized desilting that can withstand the runoff water for at least another one year.

“It’s the reason we are here to do desilting that can tackle the effect of flooding and cushion its effect completely. Out of the three major channels, Channel One is the major channel which was constructed by Strabag under the administration of former Governor Donald Duke.

“It flows from MCC, Channel View, connects the Diamond Hill axis, State Housing, then crosses the barracks and goes straight to UNICROSS.”

Dr. Effiong recalled earlier interventions saying,“Two years ago when we came on board, the first place we targeted was a woman’s house that was broken down by the flood water and we rehabilitated the house.

“For us to be on the safe side, it is better to come to this place, open up this place properly.

“That’s why I said you should see it by yourself so that you also see it after. We are not joking here.

“We are here to work. And all this is not by my directive, but on the directive of the governor.”

He outlined the next steps and issued a stern warning, “We are taking Murray by Target, Target by Goldie. Each time it rains, this place is always flooded.

“Once we finish here we will be going back to 8 Miles and then finish up.” He warned that government would not take it lightly with those dumping refuse into the gutters, advising residents of the metropolis to use the dustbins placed at strategic locations for refuse collection.