Cross River Begins Massive Drainage Clearing Against Flooding

By NSAN NDOMA-NEJI, Calabar 

The Calabar Urban Development Authority, CUDA, has intensified the desilting and opening of drainage channels across Calabar metropolis and its environs as part of urgent measures to curb flooding in the state capital.

Executive Secretary of CUDA, Dr. Ayi Effiong, disclosed this during an inspection of ongoing works at Efut Effio-Ene Community, where Channel 1, one of the major flood channels in the city, empties into the river. 

He said the intervention followed a flood alert by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, which listed Calabar among cities prone to flooding this year.

 "By the grace of God, I was appointed to oversee the urban areas which include Calabar Metropolis, Calabar South, Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Akamkpa and Biase Local Government Areas as my catchment zone. 

When NEMA gave the warning, I immediately communicated to the Governor and we received the marching order to start minor desilting of the trenches," he said.

According to him, the exercise started from 8 Miles and moved through Channel 1 Main to Ebito, before shifting to the current site where runoff from MCC and over 40 meters of drainage channels converge. 

He noted that residents said the area had not been desilted in over 15 years. To address the buildup, CUDA has deployed a 150-meter swamp bogey for mechanized desilting. 

"We have opened up the drainages. We have finished the desilting. Now we are opening up a fresh drainage. That's what we are doing now," he stated.

Dr. Effiong attributed the recurring flooding to undersized drainage facilities that can no longer cope with the city's expansion. 

"The planners of the city did not take into cognizance the rural-urban drift because of population. People are living everywhere. 

"New areas have been created and the drainage facilities are narrow and cannot accumulate the volume of water. That's why we are having this flood," he explained.

He said CUDA will adopt a dual strategy of mechanized desilting for major channels and manual clearing within the city, citing ongoing work at Ekpo Abasi through Mayne Avenue where slabs asphalted over drains are being removed to restore flow. 

He also disclosed collaboration with other agencies to unblock flooded areas at Marian in Calabar Municipality.

Assuring residents of government's commitment, he said, "The Governor is not joking. He has given a marching order and that is exactly what we are going to do." 

On long-term measures, he added that early preparations would begin ahead of next year, saying, "By next rainy season, from March, we will start the opening of these channels before the rain begins,". He said.

The Executive Secretary urged residents of the state to stop dumping refuse in drainages to support efforts to build a flood-resilient Calabar.