The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), has conducted a joint assessment of a major landslide site at the Inland Waterways/Navy Jetty axis of Adas Junction along Marina Road, Old Town, Calabar, following the heavy rainfall that occurred on Monday.
The assessment, carried out on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, formed part of ongoing efforts by emergency management stakeholders to evaluate disaster-prone locations across Cross River State and recommend appropriate mitigation measures to prevent further damage and safeguard lives and property.
The joint delegation comprised officials of NEMA, CR-SEMA and other emergency management stakeholders participating in the ongoing Flood Disaster Response Simulation Exercise currently taking place in the state.
At the site, the team observed that intense rainfall had triggered the collapse of an underground drainage channel, resulting in a massive landslide that created a deep gully across the area and rendered sections of the road and adjoining environment unsafe for both motorists and pedestrians.
Although no lives were lost during the incident, the landslide severely disrupted commercial activities around the area, particularly affecting several mechanic workshops and other businesses whose means of livelihood have been threatened by the extensive ground failure.
Speaking during the assessment, the Director General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA), Mr. Efa Nyong, described the incident as another reminder of the growing impact of extreme weather events and the need for sustained investment in disaster risk reduction and resilient infrastructure.
Mr. Nyong noted that the assessment was aimed at obtaining firsthand information on the extent of the damage to enable the Agency make appropriate recommendations to the Cross River State Government for urgent intervention.
He emphasized that Governor Senator Prince Bassey Otu remains committed to protecting lives and property across the state, assuring affected residents and business owners that Government would be adequately briefed on the situation.
The CR-SEMA Director General also urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid the affected section until appropriate engineering measures are carried out, warning that continued movement around unstable areas could expose people to unnecessary danger, especially with the rains still ongoing.
Also speaking, the representative of the Director General of NEMA and Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore B. A. Usman, reaffirmed the Agency's commitment to working closely with CR-SEMA and other partners to strengthen disaster preparedness and response across the country.
He explained that timely assessments such as the one conducted at Adas Junction are critical to identifying risks early, guiding intervention efforts and reducing the impact of future disasters on vulnerable communities.
The team concluded the visit by documenting the extent of the damage and recommending immediate safety measures around the affected area pending long-term engineering solutions to stabilize the site and prevent further deterioration.
By David Asu
