Residents Raise Alarm Over Refuse-Blocked Culvert In Calabar, Fear Disease Outbreak

The drainage channel, originally constructed to control flooding and channel wastewater, has been clogged with plastic waste, discarded fabrics and household refuse, leaving stagnant and foul-smelling water in the area.

An investigation showed that grasses and weeds had also overgrown the drainage, while the stagnant water has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, posing health risks to residents and business owners.

A resident living close to the culvert, Mr Effiong Ekpo, said the situation had become unbearable, particularly during rainfall, when water overflows into homes and shops.

“When it rains, water does not flow. It overflows into our houses and shops because the culvert is blocked. The smell is bad and mosquitoes have taken over the place,” he said.

Another resident and shop owner along White House Street, Vivian Etim, appealed to the state government to intervene before the situation worsened.

“This culvert has been abandoned for months. We are begging the Ministry of Environment, Waste Management Agency and Calabar South Council to come and clear it before it causes serious flood,” she said.

The residents called for the immediate evacuation of the refuse, desilting of the culvert and enforcement of regulations against indiscriminate waste disposal in drainage channels.

They warned that failure to address the situation could expose residents to flooding and disease outbreaks, particularly those living and operating businesses close to the affected drainage.

Reacting, the Cross River State Commissioner for Environment, Bassey Mensah, said the ministry was aware of the blocked drainage and that plans were already underway to address the problem.

“We are aware of the blocked water channel, I think we have asked NEWMAP to swing into action so that the situation can be addressed. I will give you a particular number of an official of the NEWMAP for you to confirm that we have plans for that blocked channel,” he said.

The residents, however, urged the government to move beyond assurances and ensure the prompt evacuation of the refuse and restoration of the drainage channel to prevent further flooding and health hazards along the two streets.