The Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA) has sounded the alarm over the escalating environmental damage caused by illegal sand mining and indiscriminate excavation at the Mechanic Village area of Calabar, warning that the activities are threatening residential buildings and could trigger a major disaster if urgent action is not taken.
The Executive Secretary of CUDA, Elder Ayi Etim Effiong, raised the concern when he led environmental health officers from the Authority on an inspection of the affected area to assess the extent of degradation caused by illegal sand miners.
Elder Effiong, who was represented during the inspection by the Director of Environmental Health, Chief Gabriel Etim, expressed concern that what began several years ago as seemingly harmless sand excavation had progressively developed into severe land degradation and gully erosion, leaving several buildings dangerously exposed.
He noted that the erosion had already damaged a section of the asphalted road network within the Mechanic Village and was now dangerously approaching the highway at 8 Miles, while several houses had been left precariously close to the expanding ravine.
The Executive Secretary condemned the indiscriminate excavation of sand for commercial purposes, describing it as unacceptable and contrary to environmental protection laws. He warned that the continued degradation of the environment could worsen erosion, compromise the structural integrity of buildings and expose residents to the danger of building collapse.
According to him, the activities of illegal sand miners were not only destroying the natural environment but were also creating a serious threat to lives and property, requiring urgent and coordinated intervention.
He assured residents that CUDA, in collaboration with relevant government agencies and environmental authorities, would mobilise appropriate measures to address the situation and prevent further damage.
During an interactive session with residents of the affected community, they disclosed that more than 20 buildings were now dangerously close to the ravine created by continuous excavation and erosion.
The residents expressed fears that the affected structures could eventually collapse if urgent intervention was not undertaken to stabilise the area, halt further sand excavation and check the progression of the erosion.
They further revealed that several appeals had previously been made to the government and relevant authorities, particularly when the problem was still at an early stage, but said no substantial intervention had been undertaken.
The residents therefore appealed to the Cross River State Government and CUDA to urgently stop further illegal sand mining, reclaim the degraded area and deploy measures to safeguard lives and property in the community.
The inspection team observed that immediate and coordinated action was required to halt further environmental degradation, protect the threatened buildings and road infrastructure, and avert a potentially devastating disaster in the area.
By Miriam Esuabanga
