The Cross River State Government has begun the construction of a 150-metre drainage channel to tackle the menace of flooding in Calabar South Local Government Area of the state.
The project, located behind the University of Cross River UNICROSS, is targeted at addressing the perennial flooding ravaging Idim Ita and Efut Efio-Ene coastal communities.
Disclosing this during an inspection visit to the communities and drainage site, Executive Secretary, Calabar Urban Development Authority, CUDA, Dr. Ekpenyong Etim Ayi, said the channel is designed to control the spillover of flood from the Calabar Channel One erosion drainage system, identified as the major cause of flooding in the area.
 Ayi, who led community leaders and youths to the site, stated that the intervention underscores Governor Bassey Otu’s commitment to the people-first agenda of his administration.
He appealed to residents to exercise patience, assuring that the project would be completed with a new access road to open up the communities.
He also promised to facilitate an official visit by the governor to commiserate with victims over the destruction of houses and economic activities.
Commending the government,Clan Head of Efut Efio-Ene, Muri Ekong Umo Ekpo, described the project as the first ever government presence in the area, and pledged the support of his people to the administration.
He assured that the community would do everything within its reach to ensure that workers and materials at the project site are protected.
