Cross River's Landslides Raise Concerns Over Erosion Control Spending

Three major landslides in Cross River State within weeks have sparked worries about how the state is using funds for erosion and flood control.

Budget documents show that the state plans to spend more in 2026, even though there have been years of low funding and uneven execution of important projects.

The latest landslide happened on Monday. It followed another incident in July that displaced people, destroyed property, and led to at least four deaths. These events have made environmental advocates question if the state used its resources effectively to prevent these disasters.

An analysis by PREMIUM TIMES of the state's budgets shows that the Cross River State Government raised its allocation for erosion and flood control to N1.681 billion in the 2026 budget. This is up from N847.68 million in 2025.

But the budget documents also show that many projects related to erosion got little or no funding, despite being allocated money multiple times.

For example, the Cross River State Urban Renewal Agency planned to spend N40 million on erosion control in 2025 but received no funds. The agency has no budget for erosion and flood control in 2026.

Similarly, the Ministry of Environment budgeted N30 million in 2025 for fixing flood and erosion sites, but no money was released for this project.

Another project called Natural Degradation/Erosion/Landslide Control had an allocation of N50 million in 2025, and this entire amount was reportedly released. The budget for this project has increased to N100 million in 2026.

The ministry also set aside N5 million in 2025 for hiring flood and erosion consultants, but no funds were released. This allocation has gone up to N20 million in the 2026 budget.

Another project, Intervention of Flood and Erosion Sites, had its budget cut to N2.98 million in 2025 from N40.98 million, yet no money was released. This allocation has now increased to N70 million in 2026.

Despite the funding gaps, the state’s budget performance report for 2025 shows that N342.56 million was spent on erosion and flood control from January to September 2025.

The recent focus on the state’s erosion management comes after several disasters struck Calabar in July.

Residents told PREMIUM TIMES that the worst incident in Calabar happened at the Ikot Awatim community along Murtala Mohammed Highway. A landslide there displaced residents, caused millions of naira in damages, and reportedly killed five people.

PREMIUM TIMES reported two weeks ago that a landslide in Calabar killed five people.

Another landslide hit 17 Boro Pit Street in Satellite Town, forcing residents to leave their homes after heavy rains.

Earlier this week, on July 27, a major landslide affected Marina Road around the Diamond Road area, disrupting businesses and threatening nearby shops.

The Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA) said on Facebook that the Marina Road incident happened after an underground drainage collapsed during heavy rainfall.

Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency and CR-SEMA assessed the area to check the damage and suggest urgent actions.

CR-SEMA Director-General, Efa Nyong, called the incident a reminder of the increasing effects of extreme weather. He said there is a need for more investment in strong infrastructure and disaster risk reduction.

The agency reported that no lives were lost in the Marina Road incident. However, many mechanic workshops and businesses were badly affected. They advised residents to stay away from the area because the ground is unstable and more rain could make things worse.

Umo Isuaikoh, from the Peace Point Development Foundation, said the landslides show a failure to act on early warnings and ongoing environmental risks.

Mr Isuaikoh said the areas hit by landslides had clear signs of erosion long before the disasters happened.

"Not fewer than three major landslides have been recorded in Calabar within July 2026 alone. Residents have been displaced, properties worth millions of naira destroyed and lives lost. There is an urgent need for government action on erosion control and proper waste management," he said.

"There is usually an early warning from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency about heavy rainfall. It is the responsibility of government to prepare for disasters like these.

"These environmental disasters did not happen overnight. Gullies and visible erosion had been there for years, but they were neglected. When you examine the budgets, you find allocations for erosion control, yet implementation does not appear to match the scale of the problem."

Okoho Ene, from the Uyo Iban Amplifier Initiative, also criticized the government's reactive approach to disaster management.

She said the authorities should have evacuated people living in Ikot Awatim before the landslide that took lives.

"The state and local governments should take precautionary measures instead of responding only after lives have been lost," she said.

She also questioned how ecological funds received by governments are being used.

"Ecological funds are paid monthly to both the state and local governments. What exactly are these funds being used for?" she asked.

In response to questions from PREMIUM TIMES, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Rosemary Onah, said the government has started emergency measures to manage affected areas.

"We are taking steps to divert the water to existing gutters before commencing remedial works on the existing channels," she said.

When asked about what preventive measures were taken before the disasters, Ms Onah said such incidents are environmental hazards that happen everywhere.

"These things are environmental hazards. It is expected. It happens all over the world. When it happens, you take decisive steps. Right now, the water will be diverted to existing drainage. We are also going to secure the area so that no one goes near there," she said.

When PREMIUM TIMES asked her about the budget allocations for erosion projects and whether funds for 2026 have been released, Ms Onah did not answer. She said to direct those questions to the commissioner for environment.

However, the new Commissioner for Environment, Mensah Offiong, just resumed office this week.

When told about this, Ms Onah suggested PREMIUM TIMES should ask the former commissioner instead.

Residents are also frustrated with the ongoing destruction.

Commenting on CR-SEMA’s Facebook post, John Festus said Marina Road and nearby areas have faced erosion for years.

"The road has experienced these erosions over time. It will be better to engage a competent construction company to properly assess and repair the affected areas to save lives and property," he wrote.

Another resident, Archibong Emmanuel, urged authorities to focus on preventive measures by addressing reported erosion sites before they turn into disasters.