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 have been threatening Anansa.
He mentioned the disasters had induced 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 youngsters, whereas survivors had misplaced their properties and livelihoods, with unstable slopes persevering with to threaten different communities.
He attributed the disasters to poorly designed drainage techniques, fast urbanisation, blocked drains, indiscriminate waste disposal, unregulated sand mining, vegetation elimination 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 referred to as for momentary shelter, meals, medical and psychosocial help for victims, in addition to the protected 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 enough funds for emergency stabilisation and complete remediation.
It additionally referred to 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 fast help to bereaved and displaced households.
It additional referred to 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 places and current interventions, have interaction related businesses on funding and implementation, and report again to the Senate for additional legislative motion.
