NUJ Urges Cross River Government to Revive NEWMAP as Erosion Threat Worsens

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Cross River State Council, has called on the Cross River State Government to urgently revive the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP, or establish a similar intervention programme to tackle the worsening erosion crisis threatening communities across the state.

By Victoria Omini- CALABAR 

The appeal was part of the resolutions reached at the Union's July 2026 Congress held on Wednesday at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre in Calabar under the leadership of the State Chairman, Comrade Archibong Bassey.

The Congress expressed concern over the increasing rate of erosion, environmental degradation and indiscriminate development on environmentally fragile locations, particularly within Calabar, warning that continued construction on erosion prone areas and natural drainage channels poses grave dangers to lives, property and the environment.

Members stressed that the revitalisation of NEWMAP would provide a strategic and sustainable response to the growing environmental challenges facing vulnerable communities, while helping to prevent further destruction caused by gully erosion and flooding.

The Union also urged the state government to strengthen the enforcement of environmental protection and urban planning regulations, prevent illegal developments on high risk locations, intensify public awareness on environmental conservation and take proactive measures to address active erosion sites before they deteriorate further.

Congress further called on relevant government agencies to diligently carry out their statutory responsibilities to prevent avoidable environmental disasters and protect residents from the devastating effects of environmental degradation.

The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the July 2026 Congress and signed by the Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee, Comrade Eyo Charles, the Secretary, Comrade Ukorebi Essien, and the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Cross River State Council, Comrade Archibong Bassey.