By Joy Umo
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, Professor Sandy Onor, has condemned what he described as the Cross River State Government’s slow response to the devastating landslides and floods ravaging parts of Calabar, accusing the administration of Governor Bassey Otu of being callous and insensitive to the plight of affected residents.
Onor made the remarks during a telephone interview with journalists while reacting to the escalating ecological disasters affecting Calabar.
His comments come as residents continue to count their losses from the environmental disasters that have displaced families, destroyed homes and left several communities living in fear of further destruction.
According to him, the government’s silence and failure to take decisive action despite the worsening situation amount to negligence.
He lamented that as of August 5, the devastating landslide that began on July 27 along Anansa Road had continued unabated for 10 consecutive days, with buildings collapsing and residents fleeing their homes in search of safety.
Onor disclosed that one of the houses affected by the disaster had been completed in March 2026 and occupied on April 23 before it eventually collapsed on August 5 as the landslide intensified.
He further expressed concern that electricity distribution officials had begun dismantling power installations in the area because the environment had become too dangerous for residents.
”A government that christened itself as People First has demonstrated callousness and insensitivity in the face of the harrowing disaster confronting our people. The government appears more interested in inspecting disaster sites and posting pictures on social media than taking concrete steps to address the situation on the ground.
”When government is run by mediocres, this is the result. Our people are in pain, yet the government remains aloof and bereft of ideas to initiate swift remedial measures to mitigate their suffering. We have a crisis of enormous proportions,” Onor said.
He added, “A devastating landslide has continued to ravage Anansa Road since July 27. Buildings are collapsing, families are abandoning their homes and yet there has been no meaningful government intervention to halt the disaster or protect the people.”
Onor questioned how many more homes would have to collapse and how many more families would have to be displaced before the government takes urgent action.
”This is not just an environmental disaster. It is a shameful display of negligence. The people of Ikot Awatim, Anansa Road and surrounding communities deserve immediate action, not continued indifference,” he stated.
His remarks echoed growing concerns among residents, environmental advocates and community leaders who have criticised the state’s response to the recurring floods and landslides affecting the capital city.
Several communities, including Atimbo, Arab Road, Edim Otop, Parliamentary Extension, Akai Efa, Effio Ette, Goldie Street and MCC Road, have experienced severe flooding in recent weeks, while landslides have damaged residential buildings, roads and other infrastructure.
Residents said many families had lost hard earned investments to the disasters, leaving victims devastated and uncertain about their future.
They also expressed concern that despite repeated warnings about heavy rainfall and flooding, the state government had yet to commence comprehensive intervention efforts, implement lasting remedial measures or evacuate residents living in areas threatened by further landslides.
Environmental experts attributed the worsening situation to poor drainage infrastructure, blocked waterways, rapid urban expansion, weak physical planning and the effects of climate change.
They called on the state government to declare an environmental emergency in vulnerable communities, accelerate erosion control projects, desilt drainage channels, strengthen disaster preparedness and provide immediate relief to affected residents.
Civil society groups also urged greater collaboration between the Cross River State Government, the Federal Government, the National Emergency Management Agency and the State Emergency Management Agency to implement long term measures aimed at preventing future environmental disasters.
Meanwhile, the Cross River State Government has consistently appealed to the Federal Government for assistance in addressing the ecological disasters ravaging Calabar, maintaining that it lacks the capacity to effectively tackle the growing environmental menace.