The South-South Development Commission (SSDC) has begun efforts to clear major waterways in Calabar as part of measures to address persistent flooding in some parts of the city.
The exercise began on Wednesday after a final assessment of drainage channels in Kasuk Qua Clan 2, the first community to benefit from the intervention.
Speaking during the assessment, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA) Director-General Efa Nyong said the intervention was being carried out in collaboration with the agency.
Nyong led a team of engineers to the community to inspect affected channels and determine the scope of work.
The team also met with the clan head, Ntoi Edet Ayito, who described flooding as a longstanding challenge.
Nyong said clearing blocked drains was critical to reducing flood risks and protecting lives and property in vulnerable communities. He urged residents not to dump refuse in drainage channels, adding that community cooperation was essential to sustaining the intervention’s benefits.
Ayito attributed the recurring floods to blocked waterways and inadequate culverts, which cause water to overflow into residential areas.
“This drainage channel conveyed water from Effio-Ette and neighbouring communities into the river before becoming obstructed.
“Previous interventions provided only temporary relief before the drainage became blocked again,” he said.
Ayito thanked the Federal Government, Gov. Bassey Otu and CR-SEMA for the intervention, saying flooding had forced residents to seek temporary shelter elsewhere.
He expressed optimism that clearing the waterways would improve water flow, reduce flooding and restore normalcy.
