Landslide Is Huge, Beyond Us – Gov Otu Cries to FG After Site Inspection .... Inspects Odukpani Tanker Fire Scene

Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has intensified Government intervention following the tanker fire incident in Odukpani and the massive landslide along Anansa Street in Calabar, declaring that the scale of the landslide requires coordinated action beyond the capacity of the State Government alone. Governor Otu, who personally inspected both sites on Monday, described the landslide as "very, very devastating" and assured residents that Government was mobilising the necessary technical expertise to understand the magnitude of the disaster and provide a sustainable solution. "What is happening here is very, very devastating," the Governor said. "We have made several attempts to study exactly what is happening and determine the appropriate response. We already have what I would call studies that are ongoing. The Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government has put two teams on the ground." He noted that the enormity of the landslide makes it imperative to seek wider technical and institutional support, stressing that it cannot be treated as ordinary erosion. "Clearly, this project is just bigger than the state. It is so huge, so huge," Otu declared, adding that the situation requires additional engineers and specialists. The Governor disclosed that the incident has attracted Federal Government attention, with President Bola Tinubu directing a team to visit the affected location for assessment. He said the Federal Government's involvement will complement state measures and strengthen the search for a permanent solution. Governor Otu attributed the worsening situation partly to prolonged rainfall and climate change, which has constrained engineers from undertaking full intervention. He, however, expressed optimism that comprehensive work would commence as the rains recede. "We are very sure that in the near future, as we look towards the end of this month, the rain should die down. Then we can get some allowance for additional engineers to come in and see what we have done here and determine the appropriate long-term solution," he said. At Odukpani, the Governor inspected the tanker fire scene and commended the Council Chairman, stakeholders and residents for their prompt emergency response. He acknowledged the courage and community spirit displayed during the crisis, while consoling shop owners whose businesses were affected. "At times like this, we should come together and support one another," Otu said, urging stakeholders to sustain interventions that address not only immediate consequences but also underlying vulnerabilities. The Governor assured affected communities of his administration's commitment to protecting lives, supporting vulnerable residents and confronting environmental and public safety challenges with urgency. He directed that technical assessments be sustained, emphasising that any permanent intervention at Anansa Street must be based on credible engineering studies capable of withstanding environmental pressures.