SSDC Leadership Visits Calabar To Assess Landslide, Pledges Sustainable Intervention
The leadership of the South South Development Commission (SSDC) has undertaken an official assessment visit to Calabar, Cross River State, following the recent landslide that affected parts of the state, reaffirming the Commission's commitment to disaster response, environmental sustainability, and regional development.
The delegation, led by the Managing Director of the SSDC, Ms. Usoro Offiong Akpabio, and accompanied by the Executive Director, Commercial and Environmental Development, Hon. Joseph Ayegbeni Ugheoke, visited the affected areas to conduct an on-the-spot evaluation of the disaster.
The assessment is aimed at obtaining first-hand information on the extent of the landslide, evaluating its environmental and socio-economic impact, and collecting critical technical data that will inform the preparation of a comprehensive assessment report. The report is expected to guide the Commission's immediate intervention plans and long-term disaster risk reduction strategies across the South-South region.
As part of the visit, the SSDC delegation paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Dr. Peter Gabriel Odey. Discussions focused on the devastating impact of the landslide, the Cross River State Government's response efforts, and the importance of strengthening collaboration between the Commission and state governments in addressing environmental disasters and enhancing community resilience.
Speaking during the visit, the Managing Director, Ms. Akpabio, reiterated the Commission's resolve to support member states through proactive environmental management, evidence-based planning, and strategic interventions aimed at safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure.
She emphasized that the SSDC remains committed to promoting sustainable development by responding promptly to environmental emergencies while developing long-term solutions that will reduce the vulnerability of communities to natural disasters.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Commercial and Environmental Development, Hon. Joseph Ayegbeni Ugheoke, stressed that the field inspection was crucial to ensuring that the Commission's recommendations are based on accurate on-site observations and sound technical findings.
According to him, the assessment report will provide practical, sustainable, and scientifically informed recommendations for mitigating future landslide incidents and other environmental hazards across the South-South region.
"The purpose of this visit is to ensure that our interventions are informed by facts gathered directly from the affected communities. We are committed to developing sustainable solutions that will strengthen environmental resilience and reduce the impact of future disasters," Ugheoke stated.
The visit underscores the South South Development Commission's growing commitment to partnering with state governments, relevant agencies, and other stakeholders in tackling environmental challenges, promoting sustainable development, and improving the well-being of communities across the South-South geopolitical zone.
