The decision adopted a movement of pressing nationwide significance moved by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South) on the ecological emergency affecting Calabar metropolis and adjoining communities.
Ekpenyong listed the affected communities as Atakpa, Edim Otop, Ikot Effangha Mkpa, Nyaghasang, Ikot Anwatim, Nasarawa/Bacoco, Akai Effa, Bayside and Summit Hills, including that landslides had been threatening Anansa.
He mentioned the disasters had prompted deaths, displacement and property destruction, leaving households traumatised and survivors struggling to rebuild their lives.
The lawmaker recalled {that a} landslide at Ikot Anwatim in July 2026 killed 5 folks, together with 4 siblings from one household, destroyed two homes and injured two residents.
He added that one other landslide at Edim Otop claimed the lifetime of an eight-year-old lady.
Ekpenyong lamented that some mother and father had buried their kids, whereas survivors had misplaced their houses and livelihoods, with unstable slopes persevering with to threaten different communities.
He attributed the disasters to poorly designed drainage techniques, speedy urbanisation, blocked drains, indiscriminate waste disposal, unregulated sand mining, vegetation removing and poor land-use practices.
The senator warned that remoted remedial tasks with out coordinated watershed planning may switch erosion dangers to neighbouring areas.
“Further delay risks additional deaths, deeper displacement and greater destruction. This emergency demands immediate mobilisation of federal resources, including the Ecological Fund,” he mentioned.
He known as for short-term shelter, meals, medical and psychosocial assist for victims, in addition to the secure evacuation of residents going through imminent hazard.
Contributing to the talk, Senator Sampson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South) sympathised with the folks of Cross River South and supported calls for pressing intervention.
The Senate urged the Federal Government to approve, allocate and release satisfactory funds for emergency stabilisation and complete remediation.
It additionally known as on the Federal Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Cross River State Government and related businesses, to assess harmful websites and start emergency protecting works.
The higher chamber directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency and native councils to present speedy help to bereaved and displaced households.
It additional known as for early-warning techniques and steady monitoring of unstable websites to allow well timed evacuations. It additionally urged the ministries of Environment and Works to prioritise erosion-control tasks in Cross River State, supported by correct geotechnical and hydrological assessments.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio mandated the Senate Committee on Environment to assess affected areas and current interventions, have interaction related businesses on funding and implementation, and report again to the Senate for additional legislative motion.
