NEMA, Cross River SEMA Assess Marina Road Landslide After Heavy Rainfall
CALABAR – The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), has assessed a major landslide site along Marina Road in Calabar following heavy rainfall that triggered extensive ground collapse.
The joint assessment, conducted on Tuesday, formed part of ongoing efforts to evaluate disaster-prone locations across Cross River State and recommend measures to reduce future risks.
The affected site is located at the Inland Waterways/Navy Jetty axis of Adas Junction in Old Town, Calabar, where intense rainfall caused the collapse of an underground drainage channel, resulting in a deep gully that rendered parts of the road unsafe for motorists and pedestrians.
Officials from NEMA, CR-SEMA and other emergency management stakeholders participating in the ongoing Flood Disaster Response Simulation Exercise in the state took part in the inspection.
Although no casualties were recorded, the landslide disrupted commercial activities in the area, particularly affecting mechanic workshops and other businesses whose operations have been impacted by the incident.
Speaking during the assessment, CR-SEMA Director-General, Efa Nyong, described the landslide as a reminder of the increasing impact of extreme weather events and stressed the need for sustained investment in disaster risk reduction and resilient infrastructure.
He said the assessment would enable the agency to make informed recommendations to the Cross River State Government for urgent intervention, assuring affected residents and business owners that Governor Bassey Otu would be fully briefed on the situation.
Nyong also advised residents to avoid the affected area until appropriate engineering works are carried out, warning that movement around the unstable site could pose serious safety risks, especially as the rainy season continues.
Also speaking, the representative of the NEMA Director-General and Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore B.A. Usman, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening disaster preparedness and response through collaboration with state emergency agencies.
He noted that timely assessments are essential for identifying risks early, guiding intervention efforts and reducing the impact of disasters on vulnerable communities.
The assessment team concluded its visit by documenting the extent of the damage and recommending immediate safety measures while awaiting long-term engineering solutions to stabilise the affected area.
